We woke up to sad news in Tinseltown today. A legend has left us. John Ashton, the famous actor from the Beverly Hills Cop series, has passed away. He was well-known and loved for his role as Detective Taggart. His manager has confirmed his departure, but we don’t know more details at the moment.
The Journey of a Movie Star
It wasn’t just the role of Taggart that made John Ashton famous. His acting career is a long list of memorable roles. You might remember him from the film Midnight Run. It was a great film directed by Martin Brest, who also made the Beverly Hills Cop series. John acted alongside Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin in this movie.
The genius of John Hughes didn’t miss Ashton’s talent. He became Eric Stoltz’s on-screen father in Hughes’ iconic flick, Some Kind of Wonderful. Ashton’s impressive performance led to more roles in other John Hughes’ movies like She’s Having a Baby and the sweet film, Curly Sue.
Not just a Film Star, A TV Legend Too
John Ashton wasn’t only a movie star; he also became a familiar face on TV. In the ’80s, he featured in a mini-series called, I Know My First Name Is Steven where he played Steven Stayner’s father, a kidnap victim. Another TV role of his that people love is in Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers.
Ashton continued showcasing his talent in more films. He acted in Ben Affleck‘s Gone Baby Gone and displayed excellent skills in the George Gallo movie Middle Men. All of his roles earned him great appreciation.
Coming Full Circle: Back to Beverly Hills
One of Ashton’s latest appearances was reviving his popular role as Taggart for Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. He loved this character so much, he always said he’d happily play him again in future movies. Indeed, he was truly in love with his craft and the characters he created.
It is one sad day for all, particularly those who admired his work and knew him personally.
Continuing Ashton’s Legacy
The world of TV and film has lost a bright star. John Ashton, the man who painted such vivid characters in our mind, will be dearly missed. Even though his physical presence is no longer with us, his work continues to resonate. Whether as Taggart or the fatherly figure in Some Kind of Wonderful, Ashton imbued each role with life.
We can still feel his presence with every movie night, as his performances have created a lasting memory. This is the magic of movies. He’ll always be there in every film he was part of, still giving us heartwarming performances.
Here’s to You, John Ashton
It’s time to say goodbye, John Ashton. You’ll always be remembered as a significant part of Hollywood history. You gifted us with incredible performances, filled our hearts with joy, excitement, and sometimes, tears. We won’t forget you or the characters you brought to life. You were, indeed, ‘some kind of wonderful’. Farewell, star. You’ll be missed!