Beverly Hills Cop Actor John Ashton Dead at 76

Beverly Hills Cop actor John Ashton has died on the age of 76, Us Weekly can verify.

Ashton died on Thursday, September 26, in Fort Collins, Colorado, his supervisor, Alan Somers, advised Us.

“John leaves behind a legacy of affection, dedication, and repair. His reminiscence will without end be treasured by his spouse, kids, grandchildren, in addition to his brother, sisters, his prolonged household and all who liked him,” Somers advised Us on Sunday, September 29. “John’s influence on the world will likely be remembered and celebrated for generations to come back.”

Per the outlet, the household requested donations in John’s reminiscence to be made out to Pathways Hospice Care.

Ashton is greatest recognized for his work within the Beverly Hills Cop movies, the place he acted alongside Eddie Murphy’s detective character Axel Foley.

In 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop and 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop II, Ashton performed Detective Sergeant John Taggart. When Ashton reprised his position in 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, his character had been promoted to police chief.

The 2024 addition to the franchise had been in improvement because the mid-Nineteen Nineties. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F follows Foley (Murphy) as he tried to uncover a plot that threatened his daughter and former associate. Alongside Ashton, Choose Reinhold and Bronson Pinchot reprised their roles, whereas Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Bacon joined as new characters.

Years earlier than the fourth film’s launch, Ashton took to his private web site on a number of events to gush over his enthusiasm for the Beverly Hills Cop sequence.

“As you’ll have been studying, there’s severe speak of doing one other Beverly Hills Cop,” he wrote in 2014. “I believe they’re severe this time. I’d take pleasure in being within the movie (if all of the items are proper) and would love to listen to your suggestions.”

Months later, he added, “A number of buzz on the Beverly Hills Cop IV entrance, however nonetheless nothing particular but. Will let you understand as quickly as one thing occurs.” (The fourth installment of the franchise was launched in July.)

Ashton’s movie and TV credit additionally embrace 1977’s M*A*S*H and 1979’s Breaking Away. Ashton additionally made appearances on Dallas, which ran from 1978 to 1979.

Ashton, who acquired a BA in Theatre Arts from the College of Southern California, wrote on his web site that he lived by the motto, “Assume large, Work onerous, Have a Dream, and Make a Distinction.”