“Beverly Hills Cop” star John Ashton has died at the age of 76

John David Ashton, the actor who starred opposite Eddie Murphy in “Beverly Hills Cop,” has died at age 76, TMZ reported Sunday.

A representative for Ashton told the outlet that he arrived Thursday in Ft. had died. Collins, Colorado, after battling cancer.

The Springfield, Massachusetts, native appeared in over 200 film and stage productions over the course of his 50-year career, including three out of four installments of “Beverly Hills Cop” beginning in 1984.

His latest role as Chief John Taggart, the straight man to Murphy’s brainy Axel Foley, premiered on Netflix earlier this year. Between the two men, Judge Reinhold played the affable Detective Billy Rosewood.

Ashton’s other credits include “M*A*S*H,” the 1987 John Hughes comedy “Some Kind of Wonderful,” starring Lea Thompson and Eric Stoltz, and alongside Robert De Niro 1988 action comedy “Midnight Run.”

The sports fan later branched out from acting and co-hosted the “Ashton and Davis Show” on 870 ESPN Radio.

Ashton’s representative Alan Somers also told TMZ, “John leaves a legacy of love, dedication and service. His memory will forever be remembered by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sisters, extended family and all who loved him. John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”

Any donation in John’s memory should be made to Pathways Hospice Care in Larimer County, Colorado.