John Ashton, famous for playing Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” movies, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. Now, his family has a special request.
Keep reading to learn more.
John Ashton died peacefully in Ft. Collins, Colorado, this past Thursday. His family and friends are heartbroken over his loss.
He passed away after bravely fighting cancer, according to his representative, Alan Somers. Somers shared that Ashton’s legacy is one of “love, dedication, and service,” and his family will continue to celebrate his life. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and more.
To honor the late actor’s life and legacy, the family is asking for donations to be made to Pathways Hospice Care in his memory.
Ashton was a well-known name in Hollywood for over 50 years, lighting up screens with more than 200 film, TV, and stage performances. While fans loved many of his roles, it was his portrayal of the straight-laced detective alongside Eddie Murphy’s wild cop character, Axel Foley, that made him a household name.
Ashton’s character, Detective Billy Rosewood, provided the perfect contrast to his co-star’s character, adding energy and humor to the films.
The film was a major success and established Ashton’s name in Hollywood. In July of this year, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” premiered. In an interview, Ashton revealed that the film had taken 20 years to make before finally being released.
He mentioned there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the film, to the point that he had given up on the idea and moved on to other projects. By the time he received a call about the film, he was already working on another project in Chicago.
After finishing his film, he went to L.A. to meet director Mark Molloy. Ashton knew that the film could only move forward if Murphy approved the script.
He said he knew he could fully commit to the project when Murphy greenlit the script and Jerry Bruckheimer joined as a producer.
In addition to his iconic role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Ashton also had notable appearances in the show “M*A*S*H” and played Eric Stoltz’s father in the John Hughes comedy-drama “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
He started his career at a young age, with his first professional role in a production of “Othello” at the Hartford Stage Company. He later toured the world in various theater productions.
Ashton received great recognition for his acting, including an LA Method Fest award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Once Upon a River.”
He also appeared in several films, including “Death in Texas” (2020), “American Christmas” (2019), and “My Little Baby” (2019), among others.
Beyond his career, he was a devoted family man. He leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, and his children, Michelle and Michael Thomas Ashton.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio, and Ashley Hoye, as well as his grandson Henry, his sisters Sharon Ann Ashton and Linda Jean Ashton, and his brother Edward Richard Ashton.
Legendary Actress Loni Anderson: Forever Beautiful at 78
Loni Anderson, the well-known actress who captured our hearts as Cincinnati’s beloved sitcom WKRP’s Jennifer Marlowe, is proving that beauty has no age limits. Even at 78 years old, she still has an incredible appearance.
A Star That Transcends Time
Playing the sultry and brilliant Jennifer in the late 1970s catapulted Loni to fame. For the show, which traced the highs and lows of a fictional Ohio radio station, she was awarded three Grammys.
“I think women liked that I embodied both sexiness and intelligence,” Loni said. “In 1978, there weren’t many women in comedy who could effortlessly blend the two.”
Early Setbacks and Unwavering Determination.
Loni struggled to overcome the challenges she faced on her early journey to stardom. The first girl in the school had to put up with looks and comments, so wearing a bra wasn’t always simple. Loni, though, proved that nothing could get in her way.
After making her acting debut in 1966, she never looked back. Along the way, she made appearances in several TV shows and movies, cementing her status as an iconic star. Among her most noteworthy moments is her appearance in a bikini poster, which was instrumental in her obtaining the Jennifer character on WKRP.
“I posed for that poster because my grandchildren would see it one day,” Loni remarked with a smile. And I’ll be proud to tell them that’s exactly how I appeared. What you saw is what you got.
Getting Past Personal Obstacles
Despite her popularity on TV, Loni’s personal life wasn’t always spectacular. Her four marriages, the most well-known of which was to actor Burt Reynolds, brought her highs and lows. Their dramatic, widely reported divorce after six years of marriage was marred by disparaging remarks and allegations. But in the end, by acknowledging the challenges she faced, Loni displayed amazing strength. Regarding the claims of physical abuse and unpaid child support, she was forthright.
Loni showed her respects when Burt died away in 2018, which speaks everything about her character. She was aware of his impact on her life and that of their son Quinton. This demonstrates her capacity for kindness and forgiveness.
Getting Older While Maintaining Grace
Even at 78 years old, Loni Anderson radiates beauty. She attributes her young look to leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. With unwavering determination, she challenges the stereotype of what a grandmother should look like and works to redefine the limits of age.
“I never thought I wanted to be the conventional, rocking-chair-wearing, sensible-shoe-wearing grandma,” Loni remarked. “Grandmothers don’t fit that stereotype, so we need to change how people think about what they can be!”
A Life Filled with Love and Inspiration
In addition to having a positive outlook on life, Loni makes sure the right people are around her. 2008 saw her marry her real love, guitarist Bob Flick. They are now happy grandparents and have a beautiful family together. Loni Anderson is a joy to be around and never ceases to inspire us with her positive view on life, even in the face of adversity, such as finding out that her daughter has multiple sclerosis. She informs us that age is just a number and that true beauty is found on the inside out.
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