James Handy, an actor with appearances in “Jumanji,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Taps,” was brutally murdered by his girlfriend’s son, police said.
Authorities raced to the 19200 block of Erwin Street in Tarzana Wednesday morning after a caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
When they arrived, cops discovered 81-year-old Handy unconscious in the front yard of a home, suffering from stab wounds, police said. Handy was stabbed multiple times in the chest.
James Handy, an actor with appearances in “Jumanji,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and “Taps,” was brutally murdered by his girlfriend’s son, police said.
Police investigate the stabbing on the 19200 block of Erwin Street in Tarzana, Calif., on June 3, 2026. ABC7Handy was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A short time later, the suspect, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, allegedly waved down officers and told them he was the one they were looking for, according to a news release from LAPD.
Gledhill is the son of Handy’s girlfriend and was living with his mother at the time of the attack.
Gledhill was arrested for murder and his bail is currently set at $2 million.
Handy’s career started back in the 1970s, and his most recent role was in “Top Gun: Maverick,” where he played a bartender named Jimmy.
He also played an exterminator in “Jumanji,” the 1995 cult classic with Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Jonathan Hyde.
James Handy in a scene alongside Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick.” Paramount
The crime scene outside a home. ABC7
Michael Gledhill, 44, flagged down cops on the street and allegedly told them he committed the murder. FOX11
Handy featured in a 1995 episode of “Beverly Hills 90210.” Aaron Spelling Prods
Handy alongside David Duchovny in a 1995 episode of “The X-Files.” 20th Cent FoxHandy had close to 150 acting credits on IMDb.
He also made appearances in TV shows including “The West Wing,” “9-1-1,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “CSI: NY,” “The Young and the Restless,” “Castle,” “Criminal Minds,” “Cold Case,” “Without a Trace,” “ER,” “The X-Files” and “Mulaney.”
It’s unclear what led to the attack Wednesday morning.
