Maverick’s’ James Handy dies at 81 after fatal stabbing, police arrests girlfriend’s son

James Handy, the veteran character actor known for roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji and dozens of television series, has died at the age of 81 following a fatal stabbing in the Tarzana area of Los Angeles.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a call of unknown trouble on Erwin Street at approximately 9:30am on June 3.

Police said the 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered Handy unconscious in the front yard of the residence with a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.

In a statement, the LAPD said the suspect approached responding officers and identified himself. Police said the suspect lived at the residence with his mother, who was Handy’s girlfriend.

Authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill. He was arrested and booked into Van Nuys Jail on one count of murder. Bail was set at $2 million. Detectives stated that the incident appears to be isolated and that there is no ongoing danger to the public.

A representative for Handy confirmed the actor’s death, saying, “With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy.”

Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Handy built an extensive list of film and television credits. He appeared as a bartender in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick and portrayed an exterminator in the 1995 adventure film Jumanji. His film work also included Logan, Arachnophobia, The Rocketeer, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Verdict and K-9.

On television, Handy held recurring roles in Alias, Melrose Place and NYPD Blue. His first screen credit came in 1977, beginning a long-running career in film and television.