Veteran American actor James Handy, known for his roles in major Hollywood productions such as Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, and Logan, has died at the age of 81 following a fatal stabbing incident at his home in Los Angeles.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Handy was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds to his chest at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities confirmed that a 44-year-old man, identified as Michael Gledhill, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Gledhill is reportedly the son of Handy’s longtime girlfriend, and his bail has been set at $2 million.
Police stated that an emergency 911 call was placed by an individual who confessed to the crime, reportedly saying, “I just killed the man of sin.” Upon arrival at the scene, officers said the suspect identified himself and surrendered without resistance.
James Handy, born in New York City, began his acting career in 1977 with the television series Ryan’s Hope. Over the decades, he built a respected career in Hollywood, appearing in popular TV shows including Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds.
He became widely recognised for his supporting roles in films such as Arachnophobia (1991), The Rocketeer (1992), Jumanji (1995), and Logan (2017). His final credited appearance came in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where he played Jimmy the bartender.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence.
