Veteran character actor James Handy, whose decades-long career included appearances in Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, Logan, and dozens of television dramas, has died after an alleged stabbing at his Los Angeles home. Authorities say the 81-year-old actor was found with a stab wound to his chest on June 3, and police have arrested his girlfriend’s son in connection with the killing.
The Los Angeles Police Department told CNN that officers responded to a 911 call on Wednesday morning, June 3, after a man reportedly told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” When police arrived, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard of the residence with stab wounds to the chest. He was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, who reportedly lived at the home with his mother and Handy. Police said Gledhill admitted he was the person officers were seeking and was later booked on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $2 million.
Born in New York in 1945, Handy built a steady Hollywood résumé spanning nearly five decades. While many fans recently recognized him as bartender Jimmy in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, others remember him from roles in Jumanji, Logan, The Rocketeer, Arachnophobia, and Unbreakable.
Handy also left a significant mark on television. Throughout his career, he appeared in series including Alias, Law & Order, The X-Files, Criminal Minds, The West Wing, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NYPD Blue.
Following news of his death, tributes began emerging from those who worked with him. Pam Ellis-Evenas of Ellis Talent Group described Handy as both a client and friend, saying in a statement, “I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive.
