James Handy, known for his role in Top Gun Maverick, has reportedly been fatally stabbed outside his residence in Los Angeles, allegedly by the son of his girlfriend.
Michael Gledhill, aged 44, has been charged with murder following the incident on June 3 that resulted in the death of the 81-year-old actor, as detailed in a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
James Handy Was Found Unconscious in Front of His Home After 911 Call
Authorities responded to Handy’s home after receiving a 911 call reporting “unknown trouble” at a property on the 19200 block of Erwin Street in Tarzana.
The caller allegedly informed the police, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” according to the authorities.
Upon arriving, officers discovered Handy—celebrated for his roles in movies such as Arachnophobia and Jumanji—unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound to his chest in the front yard of his house.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors sadly pronounced him dead.
Gledhill—identified by police as the son of Handy’s girlfriend—allegedly flagged down officers to tell them that, according to the statement, “he was the one they were looking for.”
Gledhill was arrested and taken to the Van Nuys Jail, where he is being held on a $2 million bond, police said. It’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney.
Police did not provide a motive for the stabbing, but described it as an “isolated incident,” adding that there was no ongoing danger to the public.
James Handy’s Talent Agent Confirms Death
Handy’s talent agent Pam Ellis-Evenas shared news of the actor’s death, telling NBC News in a statement, “With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy.”
The veteran actor was born in New York City and began performing in the late 1970s, appearing in numerous television and film roles over the years. His last role was as the bartender Jimmy in 2022’s Top Gun Maverick.
