Actor From 'Top Gun: Maverick' Killed at Home - Arrest Made

A Quiet Morning in Tarzana

James Handy, the veteran character actor best known to millions as the bartender Jimmy in ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ was stabbed to death outside his Los Angeles home on the morning of June 4, 2026. He was 81 years old.

Los Angeles police responded to a radio call in the Tarzana neighborhood around 9:30 a.m. after a 911 caller made a statement officers would not forget: ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’ When they arrived, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard of his home, suffering from a stab wound to the chest.

Handy’s talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, confirmed his death in a statement. ‘With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy,’ she said. ‘I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend.’

‘He Was the One They Were Looking For’

The suspect, Michael Gledhill, 44, did not flee. According to the LAPD, Gledhill flagged down responding officers himself and told them he was the person they were looking for. He lives at the residence with his mother - Wendy Gledhill, 76, who is Handy’s girlfriend.

Gledhill was arrested at the scene and transported to Van Nuys Jail, where he was booked on one count of murder. He was held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records reviewed by ABC News. He was later formally charged with murder plus special circumstances. According to the criminal complaint, Gledhill was subsequently held for psychiatric evaluation and did not appear in court for his initial arraignment.

The LAPD said the stabbing appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no danger to the public. No motive has been publicly released.

Six Decades on Screen

Born in New York, Handy built one of the most quietly reliable careers in Hollywood over six decades. He played an exterminator in the 1995 film ‘Jumanji,’ appeared as county coroner Milton Briggs in the 1990 horror film ‘Arachnophobia,’ and took the role of bartender Jimmy in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ appearing alongside Tom Cruise and Jennifer Connelly. His television credits included recurring and guest roles on ‘NYPD Blue,’ ‘CSI: NY,’ ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ and ‘L.A. Law.’

Writer Don Winslow, who cast Handy in a recurring role on the 2001 crime drama ‘UC: Undercover,’ paid tribute on social media. ‘James Handy was a terrific actor and we were honored to have him on UC: Undercover,’ Winslow wrote.

The Investigation Continues

Gledhill remains in custody. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately confirm a timeline for formal proceedings following the arraignment delay. Handy’s family has not issued a public statement beyond the agent’s confirmation of his death.

The family of Gledhill had not yet retained legal representation at the time of initial reporting, according to NBC News. His mother, Wendy Gledhill, has not publicly commented.

Handy’s career spanned more than 100 film and television credits, according to IMDb. He was still working in the industry at the time of his death.

References: Veteran Actor James Handy Fatally Stabbed in Los Angeles | ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Actor James Handy Stabbed to Death in LA - Girlfriend’s Son Is Arrested | Actor James Handy Death - Los Angeles