‘Beverly Hills Cop’ icon dies at 76 after tragic battle with cancer as tributes pour in | Celebrity News | Showbiz and television

Hollywood actor John Ashton, known for his iconic role as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop films, has died at the age of 76, leaving fans and colleagues to pay tribute.

The acclaimed actor, who starred on screen alongside Eddie Murphy, died “peacefully” at his home on September 26. His death was confirmed to TMZ by a representative. Ashton took his last breath in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Tributes poured in for the star, with one fan saying: “Rest in peace the great John Ashton will never help but laugh at the scene in Beverley Hills Cop 2 when he accidentally falls into the pool.”

Another added: “RiP John Ashton, some of his many roles. Beverly Hills Cop Midnight Run the A Team Columbo Trapped in Paradise Dallas Law and Order Special Victims Unit Great Actor My condolences to family and friends. We will miss it.”

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Ashton began his acting career after graduating from the University of Southern California School of Theater.

He made his screen debut in 1973 with the horror film “The Psychopath,” in which he played Sgt. Matthews, the Daily Star reports.

Roles in Honky Tonk Freeway and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai in the 8th Dimension followed, but it wasn’t until 1984 that Ashton secured his memorable role in the Beverly Hills Cop series.

After the success of the second film in the series in 1987, Ashton shared the set with Robert De Niro in Midnight Run and appeared as an American director in I Want to Go Home. He recently starred in “Gone Baby Gone” (2007) and “Uncle John” (2016), and delighted fans this year by reprising his role as Taggart in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.”

Ashton had recently completed filming “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink 2” and “Hot Bath, Stiff Drink, an’ a Close Shave” was in post-production at the time of his death. The revered character also had a major television presence, appearing on shows like “Hardball” and “Dallas.”

His convincing portrayal of the father in the true crime biography “I Know My First Name is Steven” is particularly etched in television history.

John’s final television roles included appearances on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009 and The Finder in 2012. Away from the spotlight, John was married to Victoria Marie Runn from 1968 until their divorce in 1970.

He then exchanged wedding vows with Bridget Baker-Ashton in 1976, a marriage that lasted until 2001. He fathered a child in each of his marriages.