John Ashton
Biography
John Ashton was an American actor whose best-known work included the Beverly Hills Cop movies, Midnight Run and Some Kind of Wonderful. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he studied at Defiance College in Ohio and graduated from the University of Southern California's theater and dance school. His early screen credits included Breaking Away (1979), Borderline (1980) and King Kong Lives (1986). On television he played Willie Joe Garr on Dallas and appeared in Columbo and Police Squad! He played John Taggart, a detective sergeant, in the first two Beverly Hills Cop films, with Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. He played the father of Eric Stoltz's character in Some Kind of Wonderful, a rival bounty hunter in Midnight Run, and later appeared in Little Big League, Trapped in Paradise, Meet the Deedles, Instinct and Gone Baby Gone. He also guest-starred in Mr. Sunshine and returned for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024). Ashton died in 2024.
76years old at death
- Born Springfield
- Died Fort Collins
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Also credited as John David Ashton, Charles Grodin and John Ash
Movie Career
- Films
- 20
- Career span
- 45 years1979 to 2024
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Early training
Ashton studied at Defiance College in Ohio, then earned his degree from the University of Southern California School of Theatre and Dance.
John Ashton movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Martin Brest directed two of these films, George Gallo two. Three actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Eddie Murphy's page
Judge Reinhold's page
Paul Reiser's page
Ed Harris's page
Kevin Bacon's page
Ronny Cox's page
All films by Martin Brest
George GalloDirector, 2 films, 1994 to 2009
All films by George Gallo
Also two films together5 more actors
- Dennis FarinaLittle Big League (1994) and Midnight Run (1988)
- Bronson PinchotBeverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) and Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- Jim GrimshawInstinct (1999) and King Kong Lives (1986)
- Jimmie Ray WeeksMidnight Run (1988) and King Kong Lives (1986)
- Gilbert R. HillBeverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What John Ashton's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$795 million
12 of the 20 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 20 films: 12 worldwide figure; 3 us gross only; 2 never in cinemas; 3 figure not found.
- 12Worldwide figure
- 3US gross only
- 2Never in cinemas
- 3Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 98% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$316M39.8% of the total
- 2$300M37.7% of the total
- 3$38M4.8% of the total
- 4$35M4.4% of the total
- 5$34M4.3% of the total
- 6$20M2.5% of the total
- 7$19M2.3% of the total
- 8$16M2.0% of the total
$17.4 millionfrom the other 4 films with a worldwide figure, 2% of the total
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.