He was 76. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP) John Ashton, the veteran actor who was best known for portraying crabby Detective John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, has died.

The Beverly Hills Cop fandom was struck with heartbreak after the news of John Ashton‘s death circulated widely across the internet. The actor was known for playing Sergeant John Taggert in the ...

John Ashton, the actor best known for his work in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film franchise, died last week. He was 76. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP) ...

Ashton co-starred in all four of the films, beginning with the 1984 original and running through the Netflix reboot, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” released earlier this year.

NEW YORK (AP) — John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, has died. He was 76.

John Ashton, the actor best known for his work in the "Beverly Hills Cop" film franchise, died last week. He was 76. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP) ...

John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, has died. He was 76.

Movies John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor, dies at 76 Ashton died Thursday in Fort Collins, Colorado, his family announced in a statement. No cause of death was immediately available.

John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, has died. He was 76.

NEW YORK (AP) — John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, has died. He was 76.

John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, has died. He was 76.