John Ashton, a burly, mustachioed character actor often cast as law enforcement officers or tough antagonists, launched his acting career on the Los Angeles stage in the early 1970s, shortly after graduating from USC. Originally from New England, Ashton made his film debut as a police sergeant in Psychopath (1973), and soon became a familiar face in roles involving authority figures. He played law enforcement characters in several notable films, including Breaking Away (1979), where he portrayed Dennis Quaid’s older brother, Borderline (1980), and the cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension (1984).
However, it was his portrayal of L.A. Police Sergeant John Taggart in the blockbuster hit Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and its sequel in 1987 that truly brought John Ashton into the spotlight. Starring opposite Eddie Murphy, Ashton’s performance made him a widely recognized actor. Following this success, he began to land more diverse and significant roles, such as the determined bounty hunter on the trail of Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro in Midnight Run (1988), and as the college-obsessed father to Eric Stoltz’s character in Some Kind of Wonderful (1987).
In the 1990s, John Ashton continued to work steadily in film, with roles such as the enthusiastic pitching coach in the family sports film Little Big League, and as part of the ensemble cast in the holiday-themed comedy Trapped in Paradise, both released in 1994. Though the latter film was uneven in tone, it featured a strong lineup of actors, including John Ashton, who helped bring the quirky town to life.
So, when it comes to John Ashton’s film career, one standout moment definitely comes to mind—his highest rated movie is Breaking Away, which came out back in 1979. That film really made an impression and remains a favorite among critics and audiences alike. On the other hand, John Ashton also had his share of less successful projects, with King Kong Lives from 1986 being considered his lowest rated film. While John Ashton brought his talent to a variety of roles over the years, these two movies mark the high and low points in terms of critical reception. Still, John Ashton’s body of work shows range and dedication, even if not every project hit the same mark as Breaking Away.