James Handy, ‘Top Gun: Maverick' Actor, Dead at 81 After Alleged Attack by Girlfriend's Son
Top Gun: Maverick actor James Handy has died at the age of 81.
According to ABC 7 News, Handy was the victim of a fatal stabbing in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 3.
Officers first responded on Wednesday morning to a radio call of "unknown trouble." According to an LAPD news release, the 911 caller told dispatchers, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."
When officers arrived at the residence, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard with a stab wound to the chest, authorities said. Paramedics transported the actor to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The suspect, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, was identified by officers after he flagged them down and told them he was the one they were looking for, per police. Gledhill lived at the home with his mother, who was Handy's girlfriend.
Gledhill was arrested and booked for one count of murder, and his bail was set at $2,000,000.00.
Over his 50-year career, Handy accumulated over 100 television and film credits including "Jimmy" in Top Gun: Maverick and roles in Jumanji and Arachnophobia.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 6:17 PM.