Actor James Handy, known for his roles in "Top Gun: Maverick," "Jumanji," and "Arachnophobia," died on June 3 following a violent altercation at his girlfriend's home in Tarzana, California. A coroner's report details that the 81-year-old actor suffered choking injuries to his neck and stab wounds to his torso during a struggle with Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy's girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill.
The incident began as an argument on the front porch of the residence, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's report obtained by TMZ. The dispute escalated physically, with Gledhill allegedly choking and mounting Handy before retrieving what appeared to be a knife from inside the home. Gledhill then allegedly stabbed Handy multiple times in the torso.
Following the attack, Gledhill made a 911 call, stating, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin," authorities reported.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene to find Handy unconscious. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Gledhill, who was living with his mother at the time, reportedly waved down officers and surrendered, telling them he was the one they were looking for. Surveillance footage captured Gledhill walking away from the residence before returning to approach police.
Gledhill has been arrested and charged with murder and is being held on $2 million bail. He is currently undergoing a mental competency evaluation. Police have not yet released information regarding a motive for the attack.
Handy had a prolific acting career spanning the 1970s, amassing approximately 150 acting credits. His recent role in the 2022 blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" brought him renewed attention. He also appeared in "Jumanji" and numerous television shows, including "The West Wing," "NCIS: Los Angeles," and "ER."
Wendy Gledhill, Handy's girlfriend of over three decades, expressed her devastation. She stated that Handy began his morning routine as usual on the day of his death, stepping outside to get the newspaper and make coffee. The next time she saw him was when police arrived. "I loved James and my son. I still can’t believe it….I can’t believe my son did it," she told The Post.
