Although Mark Harmon became the focal point of "NCIS" (2003), Ashton was the first actor to play an NCIS agent on "JAG" (1995).
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and raised in Connecticut.
Burly, balding character actor best known for his 80s detectives in Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and Midnight Run (1988).
Graduated University of Southern California School of Theatre. Among classmates were Bob Quinn.
Taking acting lessons from age 12, he made his professional stage debut at age 14 in a small role in a production of "Othello" at the Hartford Stage Company.
While appearing with a touring theater troupe from USC, won scholarship to travel abroad in 1970 and appeared in 15 productions throughout Europe.