- By Swati Singh
- Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Veteran actor James Handy, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, has died at the age of 81 following a stabbing incident in the Tarzana area of Los Angeles.According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call on June 3 and found Handy with a stab wound to the chest outside a residence. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said the suspect, identified as the son of Handy’s girlfriend, remained at the scene and approached responding officers, allegedly admitting responsibility. An investigation is ongoing.
The police statement read, "Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time."
Police arrested 44-year-old Michael Gledhill in connection with the incident. He was booked into Van Nuys Jail on one count of murder, with bail set at $2 million. Confirming the news, a representative for the actor said, "With great sadness, I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was actor James Handy."
Throughout his decades-long career, James Handy appeared in numerous acclaimed films. He was seen in Top Gun: Maverick, portrayed a doctor in Logan, played an exterminator in Jumanji, and appeared as Milton Briggs in Arachnophobia.
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His extensive filmography also included roles in The Rocketeer, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Verdict, and K-9, making him a familiar face across film and television for several decades.
