John Ashley was a versatile and talented actor, producer and singer who had a successful career in Hollywood and the Philippines. He was best known for his roles in American International Pictures’ films, such as Dragstrip Girl, Motorcycle Gang, and Beach Party, as well as for producing popular TV shows like The A-Team, Werewolf, and Walker, Texas Ranger. However, his life was cut short by a sudden heart attack in 1997, when he was only 62 years old. What caused his fatal cardiac arrest and how did his family and fans react to his death? Here is a brief overview of John Ashley’s life and death.
Early Life and Career
John Ashley was born on December 25, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was adopted by a doctor, Roger Atchley and his wife Lucille, and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had a younger sister, Kathryn. He attended Will Rogers High School, where he was a champion wrestler, then went to Oklahoma State University on a wrestling scholarship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics.
He broke into show business by accident, when he accompanied a girlfriend to an audition at American International Pictures (AIP) for a part in Dragstrip Girl (1957). He impressed the director with his good looks and Elvis Presley impersonation, and got the part of the villain. He signed a four-picture contract with AIP and appeared in several of their films, mostly in the teen exploitation genre. He also recorded some songs for the soundtracks of his movies.
He became a teen idol and a favorite of James H. Nicholson, one of the founders of AIP. Nicholson hoped that Ashley would become a big star and gave him many opportunities to showcase his talent. Ashley starred in several beach party movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, such as Beach Party (1963), Bikini Beach (1964), and Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). He also appeared in some horror and science fiction films, such as Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958), How to Make a Monster (1958), and The Eye Creatures (1965).
Move to the Philippines and TV Production
In 1968, Ashley moved to the Philippines to star in Brides of Blood (1968), a horror film produced by Eddie Romero and Kane W. Lynn. He liked the country so much that he decided to stay there and make more movies with Romero. He became one of the most popular actors in the Philippine cinema, starring in films such as Beast of Blood (1970), The Woman Hunt (1972), Savage Sisters (1974), and The Twilight People (1972). He also met his third wife, Jan Ashley, in Manila.
Ashley returned to the US in the late 1970s and started working as a TV producer. He formed his own company, John Ashley Productions, and produced several hit shows for various networks. Some of his most notable productions were The A-Team (1983-1987), a action-adventure series starring George Peppard and Mr. T; Werewolf (1987-1988), a horror series about a man who turns into a werewolf; and Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001), a martial arts series starring Chuck Norris.
Ashley was also involved in some charitable causes, such as helping Filipino children with cleft palates through Operation Smile. He was respected and admired by his colleagues and friends for his professionalism, generosity, and kindness.
Cause of Death
On October 3, 1997, Ashley died of a heart attack in New York City at the age of 62. He had just left the set of Scar City (1998), a crime thriller starring Stephen Baldwin and Chazz Palminteri. He died in his car in the parking lot outside the studio.
According to The Celebrity Deaths, Ashley had been suffering from chest pains for some time before his death. He had visited several doctors but none of them diagnosed him with any serious condition. He had also been under stress due to some personal and financial problems.
His death shocked and saddened his family, friends, fans, and co-workers. His wife Jan said that he was “the love of my life” and that he “died doing what he loved”. His son Anthony said that he was “a great father” and that he “taught me everything I know”. His former co-star Annette Funicello said that he was “a wonderful person” and that she “will miss him terribly”. His former producer Stephen J. Cannell said that he was “a terrific guy” and that he “had a lot of fun working with him”.
Ashley’s funeral was held on October 9, 1997 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. He was survived by his wife Jan, his sons Anthony and Cole, his sister Kathryn, and his grandchildren.
Legacy
John Ashley left behind a legacy of diverse and entertaining films and TV shows that spanned several genres and decades. He was one of the pioneers of the Philippine cinema, where he introduced new techniques and styles of filmmaking. He was also one of the most successful TV producers of the 1980s and 1990s, creating shows that appealed to millions of viewers. He was a versatile and talented actor, producer and singer who had a passion for his craft and a love for his family. He will always be remembered as a star who shone brightly on the screen and in the hearts of his fans.
