- Actor James Handy, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, was fatally stabbed in Tarzana, California.
- The 81-year-old was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds after a chilling 911 call was made.
- Michael Gledhill, the suspect and son of Handy's girlfriend, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
TARZANA, CALIFORNIA — Months after NCIS: Los Angeles actress Rachael Carpani died unexpectedly after a chronic illness battle, another Hollywood-related death is making headlines. This time, actor James Handy, known for roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, and Taps, was stabbed to death in Tarzana.
Handy, 81, was found Wednesday morning outside a home on Erwin Street. Police said he had been stabbed several times in the chest.
Chilling 911 Call Before Police Arrived
Authorities said officers were sent to the home after a strange 911 call.
According to reports, the caller said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
When police arrived, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Girlfriend’s Son Arrested
Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill.
Authorities said Gledhill is the son of Handy’s girlfriend and was living with his mother at the time of the attack.
A short time after the stabbing, Gledhill allegedly waved down officers and told them he was the person they were looking for.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $2 million.
Career Spanned Decades
Handy had a long acting career that began in the 1970s. He had close to 150 acting credits.
He appeared in Top Gun: Maverick as Jimmy, a bartender. He also appeared in the 1995 film Jumanji, where he played an exterminator.
His television credits included The X-Files, Beverly Hills, 90210, The West Wing, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: NY, Castle, Criminal Minds, Cold Case, Without a Trace, ER, The Young and the Restless, and 9-1-1.
Motive Still Unclear
Police have not yet said what led to the stabbing.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to understand what happened inside or near the home before Handy was found in the yard.
For now, fans and people who knew his work are remembering Handy for a screen career that lasted more than 50 years.
To view more cases involving Hollywood deaths, violent family disputes, and shocking murder investigations, check out our video here:
