John Ashton of ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Fame Passes Away: Family Shares Heartfelt Request and Details
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Actor John Ashton Dead — Details Revealed Along with Family’s Request
John Ashton is leaving Hollywood, but his legacy will live on for years to come, whether he is remembered as a tough investigator or a kind family guy.
At the age of 76, John Ashton, who gained notoriety for playing the stern but endearing Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, passed suddenly.
After a valiant fight with cancer, Ashton passed away quietly on Thursday in Ft. Collins, Colorado, according to his representative Alan Somers, who spoke with TMZ. The actor’s family is devastated, but they find solace in the love and support that fans and loved ones have shown them.
According to Somers, Ashton left behind a legacy of “love, dedication, and service,” and his family—his wife, kids, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family—as well as everyone who had the good fortune to know him will continue to honor his memory.
Ashton’s family has requested that any donations made in his name go to Pathways Hospice Care in order to celebrate his life and legacy.
Throughout her 50-year career, Ashton shone on screen in over 200 motion pictures, television shows, and theatrical productions. Despite having a successful career, he became well-known for playing the cool-headed investigator opposite Eddie Murphy’s crazy cop character, Axel Foley.
The charming Detective Billy Rosewood, played by Judge Reinhold, completed the trio. Ashton’s portrayal offered the ideal counterpoint to the vibrant energy that typified “Beverly Hills Cop.” The success of the movie cemented his status in the action-comedy genre and guaranteed that his portrayal would always have an impact on viewers.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” the fourth installment in the franchise, made its debut in July. Reflecting on the eagerly anticipated sequel, Ashton said in an interview that it had been in development for more than 20 years before making its premiere.
He clarified that the talks had been rife with ambiguity, with different people’s involvement fluctuating constantly, which was what made him decide to move on. He was in Chicago working on another project when he got the call regarding the movie.
He took a plane to Los Angeles to meet with director Mark Molloy after completing the movie. Ashton realized that the movie couldn’t move forward until Murphy gave his blessing to the script.
He said he was confident in Murphy’s acumen and that he realized it was time to completely commit after Murphy gave the go-ahead and Jerry Bruckheimer joined the project.
In the 1988 action-com comedy “Midnight Run,” Ashton had a prominent part as a rival bounty hunter to Robert De Niro’s character, Jack Walsh. When talking about his part, Ashton related how he and De Niro were cast together.
He revealed that perhaps thirty other performers were in the hallway during the audition, all of them anxious to read with De Niro. Unlike the rest of them, Ashton was ecstatic to announce, “Nobody’s getting this role but me.”
He and De Niro exchanged a few words when he walked into the audition room before starting the scene. Ashton thought back to the time he’d yelled, “Give me the keys, Jack.” Please hand me the keys. Rather than delivering the keys, De Niro began to hand him matches.
Ashton openly replied with a swear word as De Niro threw the matches on the ground and looked at him; De Niro fired back with another one of his own.
Ashton later learned that De Niro was impressed by his attitude and immediately showed a desire to work with him, whereas most actors would have picked up the matches and handed them back. Throughout the movie, Ashton observed that he and De Niro got along well.
Renowned for his versatile acting career, the actor also starred in “MAS*H” and portrayed Eric Stoltz’s father in the John Hughes comedy-drama “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
At an early age, the Hartford Stage Company’s inaugural production of “Othello” marked the beginning of his professional acting career. He then developed his skills as a summer stock performer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he starred in shows like “Dark at the Top of the Stairs” and “The Gazebo.”
After a few years, Ashton was traveling Europe with the USA Festival Theater Tour, exhibiting his ability at renowned locations in Germany, Cambridge, London, and Scotland’s renowned Edinburgh Arts Festival in 15 separate repertory shows.
He kept up his acting throughout his career, receiving praise from critics for his performance in “Once Upon a River,” which won him the LA Method Fest award for Best Supporting Actor.
Among other films, he starred in “Death in Texas,” a 2020 action drama; “American Christmas,” a 2019 comedy; and “My Little Baby,” a 2019 fantasy drama.
In addition to being a gifted actor, Ashton was a kind family guy who treasured his relationships. Through his children, Michael Thomas Ashton and Michelle, and his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, he leaves a loving legacy.
His heart widened even further to welcome his stepchildren, Ashley Hoye, Lindsay Curcio, and Courtney Donovan, as well as his beloved grandson Henry, who gave him so much joy. Along with his brother Edward Richard Ashton, he is also survived by his sisters, Linda Jean Ashton and Sharon Ann Ashton.
Even though his parents passed away before him, his warmth and love will live on in his family and the many souls he touched during his incredible journey.
