‘Top Gun’ actor James Handy dies after stabbing
Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy was stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s son. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating.
Details are emerging after “Top Gun: Maverick” actor James Handy was stabbed to death and police arrested his girlfriend’s son in connection with the stabbing.
The actor, known for his roles in Arachnophobia, Jumanji and the Top Gun sequels, died on Wednesday, June 3, at the age of 81, after allegedly being stabbed by his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill. The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that they received a call around 9:30 a.m. on June 3, during which the caller confessed, saying, “I am a son of man, and I have just killed a man who committed a crime.”
When authorities arrived at the scene — the home of Mr. Handy’s girlfriend, where his adult son was living — they found Mr. Handy “unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to the chest” in the front yard. He was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Here’s everything you need to know about the case so far.
James Handy’s girlfriend’s son arrested on suspicion of stabbing death
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, police arrested Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, and charged him with one count of murder. His bail was set at $2 million.
Gledhill remained in custody as of Friday, June 5th.
Who is James Handy’s girlfriend?
Wendy Gledhill, Handy’s partner and the suspect’s mother, told TMZ that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and that Handy stopped taking his medication a week before he died. She also shared a message for Handy’s family.
“They know that I loved him very much. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that this happened. I’m still in shock. I still don’t understand,” she said, the outlet reported.
It is unclear whether Wendy was home at the time of the incident.
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Handy for comment.
Who did “Top Gun” actor James Handy play in the movie?
Handy’s most recent and last acting appearance was in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, where he played bartender Jimmy.
Handy’s agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, paid tribute to Handy in a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, June 5th.
“I couldn’t ask for a more talented, humble and kind customer and friend than James Handy,” she said.
James Handy’s film and television appearances over the years
Born in New York City, Handy began a 45-year acting career that included roles in both television and film.
In addition to “Top Gun,” Handy is best known for his roles as an exterminator in the original 1995 version of “Jumanji,” a doctor in 2017’s “Logan,” and a priest in the 2000 Bruce Willis film “Unbreakable,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
On television, Handy appeared in three seasons of J. J. Abrams’ thriller Alias from 2002 to 2006, playing CIA Director Arthur DeBrind. He also played the role of Lou Handleman on ABC’s crime drama The Profiler from 1997 to 1998.
In 2022, Handy produced and starred in the drama “Street to Table”.
James Handy’s last public appearance
Handy last appeared at a public event at the 2017 screening of “Senior Entourage” with co-stars David Lockhart, Ed Asner, Mark Rydell, Brian Connors and Helen Reddy. The project will be released in 2021, and the official synopsis describes it as a “wild and quirky mockumentary with real-life cast and crew producing the film.”
According to the synopsis, “With an eclectic cast of characters ranging in age from 8 to 88, the show has a free-spirited improvisational feel, like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ for older people or ‘Seinfeld’ for older people.” It’s a comedy about nothing special.
The cast also included Jamie Lee Curtis and Laverne Cox.
