Veteran American actor James Handy, whose six-decade career included appearances in acclaimed films such as Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick, has died after being stabbed at his Los Angeles-area residence, authorities confirmed. He was 81.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Handy was discovered unconscious in the front garden of his home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday. Responding officers found the actor suffering from multiple stab wounds to the chest. Emergency personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police have arrested 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, identified by investigators as the son of Handy’s girlfriend, on suspicion of murder. Authorities said officers responded to a 911 call reporting unspecified trouble at the residence. During the call, the caller allegedly stated: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
In a statement, the LAPD said Gledhill later approached responding officers and allegedly identified himself as the individual they were seeking. Investigators noted that the suspect lived at the residence with his mother, who was in a relationship with Handy.
Detectives described the incident as isolated and said there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. Following his arrest, Gledhill was booked into the Van Nuys Jail on one count of murder. Bail was set at $2 million.
Handy built a respected career as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors. Born in New York, he accumulated dozens of film and television credits, appearing in productions that spanned multiple generations of viewers. His television work included roles in NYPD Blue, Law & Order, CSI: NY, NCIS, The West Wing, Alias, Castle, The X-Files, and Murder, She Wrote.
On the big screen, Handy appeared in films such as Arachnophobia, K-9, Logan, and Jumanji. His final major film credit came in 2022’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, where he portrayed Jimmy, a bartender connected to the storyline involving characters played by Jennifer Connelly and Tom Cruise.
News of Handy’s death prompted tributes from colleagues and industry figures. Entertainment journalist Jay Bobbin described him as a “superb character actor,” while writer and producer Don Winslow praised Handy’s work on the television drama UC: Undercover.
“We were honoured to have him on UC: Undercover in a recurring role,” Winslow said. “His performances were always special.”
Handy’s career was defined not by leading-man status but by a remarkable consistency and versatility that made him a familiar presence across film and television for more than 60 years. His extensive body of work leaves a lasting legacy within the entertainment industry as fans and colleagues remember an actor whose performances quietly enriched some of Hollywood’s most notable productions.
The investigation into Handy’s death remains ongoing.