Actor John Ashton has died at the age of 76, as confirmed by his management.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Ashton was best known for his role as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop film series, where he starred alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold.
He passed away on Thursday, September 26, in Fort Collins, Colorado, following a previous diagnosis of cancer, according to his manager, Alan Somers, who shared the news with multiple outlets.
His management shared a statement with The Independent: “John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will be cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, extended family, and all who loved him.
“John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
It didn’t take long for fans of the star to turn to social media to honor his memory and express their condolences to his family and loved ones.
One Twitter user remarked: “My introduction to John Ashton’s career was his role as the dad in Some Kind of Wonderful. He loved working in theater (he even won a drama critics award!) but chose to do films and TV shows because of his passion for acting. Beverly Hills Cop and Midnight Run were all the better for his presence. #RIPJohnAshton.”
Another user shared, “Hearing about John Ashton’s passing makes me want to rewatch Midnight Run, that little masterpiece with its stellar cast: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, and Yaphet Kotto, all enhanced by @dannyelfman’s extraordinary music.”
A third commented, “Today is a sad day in the entertainment world with the loss of actor #JohnAshton, one of the best in the business. The role of Detective John Taggart could only be played by him. John Ashton made that role unforgettable. Rest in peace, buddy.”
A fourth user added, “R.I.P. JOHN ASHTON. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE ASHTON FAMILY.”
In addition to portraying DS Taggart, Ashton also starred in Some Kind of Wonderful and She’s Having a Baby, and he most recently appeared in 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.