John Ashton, best known for his iconic role as Detective John Taggart in the Hollywood Super Detective franchise, has died at the age of 76, according to TMZ.
Ashton appeared in three of the four films in the series, including the latest installment released on Netflix in 2024. His family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Pathways Hospice Care, although the cause of death remains undisclosed.
As Detective Taggart, Ashton skillfully balanced his serious portrayal alongside Eddie Murphy’s comedic Axel Foley, becoming a beloved figure in the franchise.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashton built a distinguished career in both film and television, most notably co-starring with Robert De Niro in the 1988 action-comedy Midnight Run.
In addition to his film roles, Ashton co-hosted The Ashton and Davis Show on 870 ESPN Radio. His manager, Alan Somers, spoke highly of Ashton.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will always be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sisters, extended family, and all who loved him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come,” Somers explained.
John Ashton’s filmography
John Ashton’s career spanned decades, with a filmography that includes:
- ‘An Eye for an Eye’ (1973)
- ‘So Evil, My Sister’ (1974)
- ‘My Father’s House’ (TV – 1975)
- ‘Cat Murkil and the Silks’ (1976)
- ‘MAS*H’ (1977)
- ‘Oh, God!’ (1977)
- ‘The Wilds of Ten Thousand Islands’ (TV – 1978)
- ‘Lawman Without a Gun’ (1978)
- ‘Breaking Away’ (1980)
- ‘Borderline’ (1980)
- ‘Elvis and the Beauty Queen’ (TV – 1981)
- ‘Honky Tonk Freeway’ (1981)
- ‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension’ (1984)
- ‘Superdetective en Hollywood’ (1984)
- ‘The A-Team’ (TV – 1985)
- ‘Last Resort’ (1986)
- ‘The Deliberate Stranger’ (TV – 1986)
- ‘King Kong Lives’ (1986)
- ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ (1987)
- ‘Superdetective en Hollywood 2’ (1987)
- ‘She’s Having a Baby’ (1988)
- ‘Midnight Run’ (1988)
- ‘I Want to Go Home’ (1989)
- ‘Curly Sue’ (1991)
- ‘Saturday’s’ (TV – 1991)
- ‘Dirty Work’ (TV – 1992)
- ‘Los Tommyknockers’ (TV – 1993)
- ‘Little Big League’ (1994)
- ‘Atrapados en el paraíso’ (1994)
- ‘In the Living Years’ (1995)
- ‘Hidden Assassin’ (1995)
- ‘For Which He Stands’ (1996)
- ‘Fast Money’ (1996)
- ‘Little Girls in Pretty Boxes’ (TV – 1997)
- ‘Meet the Deedles’ (1998)
- ‘The Day Lincoln Was Shot’ (TV – 1998)
- ‘Avalanche’ aka ‘Escape from Alaska’ (1999)
- ‘Bill’s Gun Shop’ (2001)
- ‘Family’ (TV Miniseries – 2003)
- ‘Jane Doe: Til Death Do Us Part’ (TV – 2005)
- ‘Sweet Deadly Dreams’ (2006)
- ‘Reign of the Gargoyles’ (TV – 2007)
- ‘Gone Baby Gone’ (2007)
- ‘Middle Men’ (2009)
- ‘A Letter to Dad’ (2009)
- ‘Uncle John’ (2015)
- ‘The Neighborhood’ (2017)
- ‘My Little Baby’ (2017)
- ‘The Joke Thief’ (2018)
- ‘Superdetective en Hollywood: Axel F.’ (2024)