“Beverly Hills Cop” star John Ashton dies at the age of 76: “There is no smoking in heaven”

A “Beverly Hills Cop” star whose acting career spanned more than five decades has died at age 76.

Variety reports that John Ashton, best known for his role as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in all four “Beverly Hills Cop” films, died Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado. A cause of death was not announced.

“Thursday night John seemed to be asleep, but the Yankees were on it. They won the game, took the division and John made it home. Forty years of laughs on and off screen. John LIVED his life! My brother, my partner, my Sarge – I love you. There is no smoking in heaven, John,” co-star Judge Reinhold wrote in a social media tribute to Ashton.

Reinhold and Ashton both played members of the Beverly Hills Police Department who befriend Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley, a Detroit cop investigating a murder with ties to California, in 1984's “Beverly Hills Cop.” The trio reunited for several sequels, including 2024's Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, in which Ashton's character was promoted to police chief.

Ashton's credits include nearly 100 other films and television shows, including 1987's “Some Kind of Wonderful” (as Eric Stoltz's father) and 1988's “Midnight Run” (alongside Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin). Ashton also appeared in “An Eye for an Eye,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Borderline,” “Columbo,” “Police Story,” “Barnaby Jones,” “M*A*S*H,” and “Starsky & Hutch.” “, “Dallas,” “Little Big League,” “The Twilight Zone,” “She's Getting a Baby,” “Hardball,” “Last Resort,” “Middle Men,” “Meet the Deedles” and “The Adventures of Buckaroo.” Banzai through the 8th dimension.”

Survivors reportedly include Ashton's wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye; children Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton; stepchildren Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio and Ashley Hoye; grandson Henry; sisters Sharon Ann Ashton and Linda Jean Ashton; and brother Edward Richard Ashton.

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