Connecticut
John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor from Connecticut, has died
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ star John Ashton dead at 76
Actor John Ashton passed away “peacefully” at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado his representative Alan Somers said in a statement.
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John Ashton, an actor known for his role as John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film series, has died at 76.
Ashton, who was born in Massachusetts and raised in Connecticut, died on Sept. 26, according to an obituary provided to USA Today by his representative.
According to his obituary, Ashton “passed away peacefully” in Colorado. A cause of death was not provided.
Ashton starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, which released its first two installments in 1984 and 1987. He reprised his role for a third film that premiered earlier this year.
Here’s what to know.
John Ashton, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor, dies at 76
John Ashton, a film and television actor with New England roots, died last week at the age of 76.
“John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” an obituary provided to USA Today said.
Ashton was known for his role as John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film franchise, most recently starring in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” earlier this year.
He appeared as Det. Sgt. Taggart in the franchise’s first two films, which were released in 1984 and 1987, respectively. In the latest installment that was released this year, Taggart was promoted to police chief.
The films star Ashton alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold.
“Going back to this one was like a family reunion — we just fell right back into it,” Ashton said about the latest movie in an interview with Nerds of Color earlier this year.
Actor John Ashton’s roots in Massachusetts and Connecticut
Before he played a cop in California, John Ashton was a local in New England.
He was born on February 22, 1948, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and raised in Enfield, Connecticut. He graduated from Enfield High School before studying theatre arts at the University of Southern California.
In a 2020 interview with MovieJunk, Ashton said he grew up in a “pretty rough town” and got into acting because he was a delinquent in high school.
“My mother was going to send me to military school to straighten me out and stuff and the director of my high school theater group stopped me in the hall and asked me if I wanted to be in this play and I said, ‘Yeah, sure’,” Ashton said.
Ashton began his acting career with small film roles in the 1970s before appearing in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films in the 1980s and again in 2024.
He was also known for roles in the films “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “Midnight Run.” Additionally, he had recurring television roles on “Dallas” and “Hardball.”
NEW CANAAN, Conn. — An elderly driver was rescued from his vehicle after he accidentally crashed into a swimming pool in on Tuesday.
It happened just after 10:30 a.m. at the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut.
The Tesla plowed through a fence and set of trees before plunging into the water. Police say he was trying to park at the time.
The community pool was closed when it happened, so no one was swimming or in the path of the vehicle.
Lifeguards and first responders entered the pool to help the driver out of the vehicle.
Lifeguard Mike D’Urso, 18, described what happened.
“Me and my coworker were setting up the umbrellas when we heard a loud crash and we turned around and there was a car right in the middle of the pool,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso said the man was conscious and alert, but the vehicle began to take on water.
“The car began to sink a couple minutes in, and my concern was that the water would rise above his head and wouldn’t be able to breathe,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso and EMS workers pulled the victim out through the passenger side window. The driver said he wasn’t injured, but he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The pool will have to be drained, cleaned and refilled. Officials hope to have it reopened by the weekend.
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One person is dead after a double shooting in Hartford, police said.
ShotSpotter notified police of shots fired around 7 p.m. on Magnolia Street.
When officers got to the scene, they found a woman unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Diana Tirado of New Britain. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
There was another woman in her 30s with a gunshot wound on the sidewalk. She was taken to the hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. Her identity has not been released.
Police have not identified a suspect at this time.
More than 200 people gathered May 28 in Norwalk for a night of food and entertainment supporting Connecticut Foodshare’s mission to fight food insecurity.
The second annual Taste of SoNo brought together local restaurants, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to celebrate Fairfield County’s vibrant culinary community.
The event took place in The Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection.
Guests sampled offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and other exhibitors.
They also learned more about Connecticut Foodshare’s work through its network of community partners, mobile pantries, and other hunger-relief programs.
Community Impact
The evening featured live music and a silent auction with dining, music, and sports experiences, along with artwork and sports memorabilia.
“We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended and supported Connecticut Foodshare through this event,” said Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski.
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission.”
Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission to end hunger in Connecticut and ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need.”
Connecticut Foodshare hosted the event for the second year and has already started planning next year’s Taste of SoNo.
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