Beverly Hills Cop alum John Ashton died on Thursday (Sept. 26) after battling cancer, TMZ reports. He was 76.

According to the outlet, the late actor passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado. Per a statement from his manager acquired by TMZ, Ashton “leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service.”

“His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him,” the statement continues. “John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”

DECIDER reached out to Ashton’s manager for confirmation and comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on Feb. 22, 1948, Ashton spent two years at Defiance College before transferring to the University of Southern California, where he earned a B.A. in theater arts, per Variety.

Ashton starred as John Taggart in the 1984 Eddie Murphy-led comedy film, and reprised the role in both Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024).

Other film credits of his include the John Hughes-written Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) and She’s Having A Baby (1988), the Robert De Niro-starring comedy action Midnight Run (1988), Little Big League (1992), Trapped In Paradise (1994), and Gone Baby Gone (2007).

He also garnered a slew of TV appearances, among which were Kojak, Columbo, Wonder Woman, M*A*S*H, Starsky and Hutch, Dallas, Hardball, Brookside, and Law & Order: SVU.

Per Deadline, Ashton’s Beverly Hills Cop co-star Judge Reinhold — who portrayed his partner Billy Rosewood — honored him with a social media tribute on Sunday (Sept. 29), writing, in part, “My brother, my partner, my Sarge – I love you.”