Topline: Handy, the familiar face from “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Arachnophobia,” was allegedly slain by his girlfriend’s son.
Published: June 5, 2026 6:00 am ET
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James Handy in The X Files (1993)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The actor who played the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” was stabbed to death on June 3 in a Los Angeles neighborhood by his girlfriend’s son, authorities said.
Officers responded to a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. and found Handy unconscious in the front yard of a home in Tarzana, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Handy, 81, had a stab wound in his chest, police said.
The suspect, Michaelled Gledhill, 44, flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for, according to a police statement issued June 4.
The police department said the 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Gledhill lived at the Tarzana residence with his mother, police said. Authorities arrested Gledhill and booked him on one count of murder, according to police records.
Gledhill remained in custody Thursday night, with bail set at $2 million, according to online jail records.
Online court records didn’t list an active case for Gledhill by Thursday night, and it wasn’t clear if he had hired an attorney to represent him.
The stabbing appeared to be an isolated incident, and there was no threat to the public, according to police.
According to NBC News, a representative for Handy confirmed the death on June 4.
“With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,” Pam Ellis-Evenas, Handy’s talent agent, said in a statement.
Handy had a career that spanned decades in both film and television. In addition to his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Handy played Milton Briggs in the 1990 movie “Arachnophobia” and appeared in the 1995 movie “Jumanji.”
He also played a doctor in the 2017 superhero movie “Logan.”
His television career included appearances on several network dramas, including “NYPD Blue,” “Law & Order,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “CSI: New York.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Los Angeles Police Arrest Suspect in Actor James Handy’s Fatal Stabbing
Handy, the familiar face from “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Arachnophobia,” was allegedly slain by his girlfriend’s son.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 5, 2026 6:00 am ET
James Handy in The X Files (1993)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The actor who played the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” was stabbed to death on June 3 in a Los Angeles neighborhood by his girlfriend’s son, authorities said.
Officers responded to a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. and found Handy unconscious in the front yard of a home in Tarzana, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Handy, 81, had a stab wound in his chest, police said.
The suspect, Michaelled Gledhill, 44, flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for, according to a police statement issued June 4.
The police department said the 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Gledhill lived at the Tarzana residence with his mother, police said. Authorities arrested Gledhill and booked him on one count of murder, according to police records.
Gledhill remained in custody Thursday night, with bail set at $2 million, according to online jail records.
Online court records didn’t list an active case for Gledhill by Thursday night, and it wasn’t clear if he had hired an attorney to represent him.
The stabbing appeared to be an isolated incident, and there was no threat to the public, according to police.
According to NBC News, a representative for Handy confirmed the death on June 4.
“With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,” Pam Ellis-Evenas, Handy’s talent agent, said in a statement.
Handy had a career that spanned decades in both film and television. In addition to his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Handy played Milton Briggs in the 1990 movie “Arachnophobia” and appeared in the 1995 movie “Jumanji.”
He also played a doctor in the 2017 superhero movie “Logan.”
His television career included appearances on several network dramas, including “NYPD Blue,” “Law & Order,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “CSI: New York.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Los Angeles Police Arrest Suspect in Actor James Handy’s Fatal Stabbing
Handy, the familiar face from “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Arachnophobia,” was allegedly slain by his girlfriend’s son.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 5, 2026 6:00 am ET
James Handy in The X Files (1993)
LOS ANGELES, CA — The actor who played the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” was stabbed to death on June 3 in a Los Angeles neighborhood by his girlfriend’s son, authorities said.
Officers responded to a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. and found Handy unconscious in the front yard of a home in Tarzana, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Handy, 81, had a stab wound in his chest, police said.
The suspect, Michaelled Gledhill, 44, flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for, according to a police statement issued June 4.
The police department said the 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Gledhill lived at the Tarzana residence with his mother, police said. Authorities arrested Gledhill and booked him on one count of murder, according to police records.
Gledhill remained in custody Thursday night, with bail set at $2 million, according to online jail records.
Online court records didn’t list an active case for Gledhill by Thursday night, and it wasn’t clear if he had hired an attorney to represent him.
The stabbing appeared to be an isolated incident, and there was no threat to the public, according to police.
According to NBC News, a representative for Handy confirmed the death on June 4.
“With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,” Pam Ellis-Evenas, Handy’s talent agent, said in a statement.
Handy had a career that spanned decades in both film and television. In addition to his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Handy played Milton Briggs in the 1990 movie “Arachnophobia” and appeared in the 1995 movie “Jumanji.”
He also played a doctor in the 2017 superhero movie “Logan.”
His television career included appearances on several network dramas, including “NYPD Blue,” “Law & Order,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “CSI: New York.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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