‘Top Gun’ actor James Handy dies after stabbing
Actor James Handy, known for “Top Gun: Maverick,” died after after allegedly being stabbed by his girlfriend’s son. The LAPD is investigating.
Details are emerging after “Top Gun: Maverick” actor James Handy was fatally stabbed and police arrested his girlfriend’s son in the case.
The actor – known for appearances in “Arachnophobia,” “Jumanji” and the “Top Gun” sequel – died Wednesday, June 3, at 81 after his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, allegedly stabbed him. The Los Angeles Police Department said in a release that they received a call around 9:30 a.m. June 3, during which the caller reportedly confessed, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
When authorities arrived at the scene – Handy’s girlfriend’s home, where her adult son lives – Handy was found in the front yard “unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest.” He was then transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Here’s everything to know in the case so far.
James Handy’s girlfriend’s son arrested in stabbing
Police arrested Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy’s girlfriend, and charged him with one count of murder after he reportedly flagged down officers saying he was the suspect they were looking for, per Los Angeles police. His bail was set at $2 million.
Gledhill was still in custody as of Friday, June 5.
Who is James Handy’s girlfriend?
Wendy Gledhill, Handy’s partner and the mother of the alleged suspect, reportedly told TMZ that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medications the week before Handy’s death. She also shared a message to Handy’s family.
“They know I loved him so much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry this happened. I’m still in shock. I still can’t comprehend it,” she said, according to the outlet.
It is unclear if Wendy was at the home at the time of the incident.
USA TODAY reached out to Handy’s rep for comment.
Who did ‘Top Gun’ actor James Handy play in the movie?
Handy’s latest and final acting credit was in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” in which he portrayed Jimmy, a bartender.
Handy’s agent Pam Ellis-Evenas paid tribute to the star in a statement to USA TODAY Friday, June 5.
“I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy,” she said.
James Handy movies, TV roles over the years
Born in New York City, Handy launched a 45-year acting career that included roles across both television and film.
In addition to “Top Gun,” Handy is known for his roles in the original 1995 “Jumanji” as an exterminator, 2017’s “Logan” as a doctor and 2000’s M. Night Shyamalan-directed Bruce Willis film “Unbreakable” as a priest.
On TV, Handy was in three seasons of the J. J. Abrams thriller “Alias” from 2002 to 2006, playing CIA Director Arthur Devlinnd. He also took on the role of Lou Handleman in the ABC crime drama “Profiler” from 1997 to 1998.
In 2022, Handy produced and starred in the drama “Street to Table.”
James Handy’s last public appearance
The final time Handy appeared at a public event was at a 2017 screening of “Senior Entourage” alongside his costars David Lockhart, Ed Asner, Mark Rydell, Brian Connors and Helen Reddy. The project was released in 2021 and is described in its official synopsis as “a wild, wacky mockumentary about the actual cast and crew making the movie.”
“Featuring a zany, multi racial cast ranging in age from 8 to 88, it has the freewheeling improvisational feel of a ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ for the elderly or ‘Seinfeld’ for seniors,” according to the synopsis. “It’s a comedy about nothing in particular.”
The cast also included Jamie Lee Curtis and Laverne Cox.
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