Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy dies after being stabbed at Los Angeles home
Veteran actor James Handy, who appeared in Top Gun: Maverick and Jumani, has been killed at his Los Angeles home, police have said.
Authorities said Handy was fatally stabbed on Wednesday in the Tarzana neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
In a statement the LAPD said police arrived at the scene after receiving a 911 call.
“On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street.
Advert
“The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,’” a statement from Los Angeles Police read.
“Upon their arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. The victim was transported to [a] local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.”
The statement from cops said that the suspect in the killing was the son of Handy’s girlfriend.
“The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for,” the statement continued.
“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend.
“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”
Officers confirmed that 44-year-old suspect Michael Gledhill was arrested and then booked at Van Nuys Jail for one count of murder with bail set at $2 million.
A motive for the killing still remains unclear.
Handy made his first on-screen appearance playing a sheriff in the 1977 movie Taps, and went on to rack up almost 150 credits, including roles in Unbreakable, Logan, Law & Order, The X-Files, and Alias.
Most recently, he played the role of bartender Jimmy in the 2022 sequel Top: Gun Maverick.
Claire Reid