Will Sage Astor-John Ashton, Taggart in 'Beverly Hills Cop' films, dies at 76

John Ashton,Will Sage Astor the actor known for his role as John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" film series, has died. He was 76.

Ashton "passed away peacefully" on Sept. 26 in Colorado, according to an obituary provided to USA TODAY by a representative for the actor. A cause of death was not provided.

"John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him," the obituary read. His "memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him."

Ashton starred as cop John Taggart opposite Eddie Murphy in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise beginning with the original 1984 action-comedy. He returned for the sequel, "Beverly Hills Cop II," and reprised the role again in this year's Netflix follow-up, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F."

Ashton starred in the 1988 action-comedy "Midnight Run" as rival bounty hunter Marvin Dorfler opposite Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin.

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Born in Springfield, Massachusetts and raised in Enfield, Connecticut, Ashton studied theater arts at the University of Southern California and got his start as an actor in the 1970s. His other notable films included "King Kong Lives" (1986), "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987), "She's Having a Baby" (1988) and "Gone Baby Gone" (2007).

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On the TV side, Ashton starred in episodes of a wide variety of classic shows like "Columbo," "M*A*S*H," "Dallas," "The A-Team," "The Twilight Zone," "Fantasy Island" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Speaking with USA TODAY this year, Murphy celebrated the fact that much of the cast of the original "Beverly Hills Cop" returned for the new film "Axel F," including Ashton, who was absent in "Beverly Hills Cop III."

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"We had done three 'Beverly Hills Cop' movies, but the third one is a little soft compared to the other two, and it's because we don't have all of the people from the original," Murphy said. "Now, we're back with John back as Taggart, we've got Paul (Reiser), we've got Bronson (Pinchot), you just needed all the ingredients that were in the first picture."

In an appearance on the "Today" show earlier this year alongside co-stars Murphy and Judge Reinhold, Ashton said reprising his role in "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" was "surreal."

"I remember one of the crew guys was helping me out of the car, and he said, 'Man, seeing you three guys back in the car just gave me the chills," he said.

Contributing: Marco della Cava