James Handy, Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji star, dies aged 81 after fatal stabbing
Handy has been described as "talented, humble and gracious."
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
- Phoebe Kowhai Barnes
Published: Friday, 5 June 2026 at 11:55 am
Hollywood actor James Handy has died after being fatally stabbed at his home in Los Angeles.
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The 81-year-old was found unconscious by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in the front garden of the property with a stab wound to the chest before later being pronounced dead at hospital.
The LAPD confirmed in a statement they attended the scene after receiving a 911 call in which a caller said: "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."
Police responded to the call at around 9.30am local time on Wednesday 3 June where they identified the suspect as Michael Gledhill, 44, who also lived at the home in Tarzana, California with his mother, Handy's girlfriend.
James Handy (right) in promotional photo for the ABC TV movie False Arrest. Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
Gledhill approached police on the scene saying "he was the one they were looking for".
He was arrested on suspicion of one count of murder and was taken to Van Nuys jail where his bail was set at $2million.
Handy's death was confirmed by his agent who described him as "talented, humble and gracious."
"With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy," said acting agent Pam Ellis-Evenas.
"I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy," she added.
In a tribute to the late actor, entertainment writer Jay Bobbin said, he was "heartbroken to learn about the passing of superb character actor".
Whilst writer and producer Don Winslow, who created the 2001 procedural drama UC: Undercover, in which Handy appeared, described Handy as a "terrific actor".
"We were honoured to have him on UC: Undercover in a recurring role," Winslow said. "His performances were always special."
Handy's acting career spanned more than 50 years beginning in 1977 with over 150 acting credits to his name.
His notable performances include the Robin Williams film Jumanji where he played an exterminator and in 2017's Logan as the old doctor who treated Hugh Jackman after his first fight with X-24
He is also recognised from Arachnophobia, K-911, Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds.
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Handy's last acting role was in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick as bartender Jimmy opposite Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Glen Powell.
Authors
Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
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