John Ashton, the actor who reached the peak of his career as detective John Taggart in the film Beverly Hills police officer film franchise, died Friday at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

John Ashton was born on February 22, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts and starred in early films, among other things Eye for an eye (1973), Break away (1979), Border (1980), Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) and Last resort And King Kong lives, both in 1986.

Ashton bowed on television in episodes of dramas Kojak, Emergency! And Columbo in 1974 and built his acting resume with later appearances in series such as Phyllis, police story, Barnaby Jones, policewoman, Wonder Woman, MASHAnd Starsky and Hutch. In 1978, Ashton made his first of six appearances as Willie Joe Garr Dallas. And in 1984 he became famous in the original Beverly Hills Cop Movie opposite Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold.

Ashton later starred in three of the four others Beverly Hills police officer Films, most recently in Beverly Hills cop: Axel Fthe sequel, which debuted on Netflix last summer.

He previously had a regular role in the crime drama Tough ballwhich aired in the 1989/90 TV season.

Ashton's other film roles included Somehow wonderful (1987), Midnight run (1988), I want to go home (1989), Little big league (1984), In the living years (1994), Hidden assassin (1995), What he stands for (1996), Meet the Deedles (1998), instinct (1999), Sweet deadly dreams (2006), Middle men (2009) and Uncle John (2015).

Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye. children Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton; stepchildren Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio and Ashley Hoye; grandson Henry; sisters Sharon Ann Ashton and Linda Jean Ashton; and brother Edward Richard Ashton.