James Handy, Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji star, dies aged 81 after fatal stabbing

Hollywood actor James Handy has died after being fatally stabbed at his home in Los Angeles.

Police in Los Angeles found an 81-year-old man unconscious in the front yard of a home with a stab wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police confirmed they responded to a 911 call where the caller stated, “I am the son of man, and I have just killed the man of sin.”

Around 9:30 AM local time on Wednesday, June 3rd, police arrived at the scene and identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill. He lived with his mother, who was the girlfriend of the victim, in Tarzana, California.

Gledhill approached police on the scene saying “he was the one they were looking for”.

He was arrested for suspected murder and held at Van Nuys jail with bail set at $2 million.

Handy’s death was confirmed by his agent who described him as “talented, humble and gracious.”

Pam Ellis-Evenas, a talent agent, has sadly confirmed that James Handy, the actor who was attacked and killed in Tarzana on Wednesday, has passed away.

She said James Handy was the most talented, kind, and appreciative client and friend she could have hoped for.

Entertainment writer Jay Bobbin expressed his sadness upon hearing of the actor’s death, describing him as a “superb character actor.”

Don Winslow, the writer and producer of the 2001 TV drama UC: Undercover, where Handy acted, praised Handy as a “terrific actor.”

I was a huge fan of having him on UC: Undercover. He really stood out in his recurring role, and honestly, every time he was on screen, he just brought something special to the show.

William H. Macy began his acting career in 1977 and appeared in over 150 films and television shows over more than 50 years.

He’s known for roles in films like Jumanji, where he played an exterminator, and Logan (2017), where he portrayed the doctor who cared for Hugh Jackman after his initial battle with X-24.

You might also recognize him from appearances in shows like Arachnophobia, K-911, Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds.

In 2022, Tim Hardy made his final on-screen appearance in Top Gun: Maverick, playing the role of Jimmy, a bartender. He acted alongside stars like Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Glen Powell.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-06-05 14:37