- Primary Subject: James Handy
- Key Update: Veteran actor James Handy was fatally stabbed at a Los Angeles home, and his girlfriend's son has been arrested for murder.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 5, 2026
- Quick Answer: Actor James Handy was tragically stabbed to death in Tarzana, Los Angeles, on June 3, 2026. His girlfriend's son, Michael Gledwill, was arrested.
Veteran Hollywood actor James Handy, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, died in a tragic family dispute on Wednesday, June 3. He was 81.
According to reports, Handy was fatally stabbed at a home in Los Angeles by his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledwill, who is now in custody.
What Happened to James Handy?
In a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department, West Valley Area patrol officers responded to a radio call reporting an unknown trouble incident in the Tarzana neighborhood around 9:30 am on Wednesday, June 3.
The 911 caller allegedly stated, “I am the son of man. I just killed the man of sin.”
When officers arrived, they found an unconscious James Handy in the front yard of the home with a stab wound to his chest.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics quickly transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for. The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” the statement continued. “Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”
The 44-year-old Michael Gledwill was arrested and taken to Van Nuys Jail, where he was booked on one count of murder with bail set at $2,000,000.
Pam Ellis-Evenas, Handy’s agent, later confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
“With great sadness, I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was actor James Handy,” the statement read.
Why was James Handy Killed?
While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, neighbors claimed (via Daily Mail) that James Handy and Michael Gledwill had been arguing overnight before the tragic incident.
A resident also told Fox 11 that Gledwill may have been suffering from delusions prior to the attack.
In security footage from a neighboring home obtained by Fox 11 Los Angeles, Gledwill was seen ambling down the sidewalk, with bloodied clothing lying nearby.
He then returned to the house later, around the same time, police said he flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for.
Handy began his acting career in 1977, with his first on-screen appearance in two episodes of ABC’s Ryan’s Hope. That same year, he appeared in the film Taps.
Throughout the 1980s, he guest-starred in several television shows, including Cagney & Lacey, Spenser: For Hire, and Matlock.
He later appeared in films such as Arachnophobia and The Rocketeer, as well as numerous television series, including Alias, The West Wing, Melrose Place, NYPD Blue, The Practice, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Young and the Restless.
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