James Handy, an American actor best known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and The West Wing, was tragically stabbed to death on Wednesday morning by his girlfriend's son, Michael Gledhill. The 81-year-old was found unconscious in the front yard of his Erwin Street residence in Los Angeles after Gledhill made a harrowing 911 call, stating he had 'killed the man of sin'.
Who Was James Handy?
Born in New York City, Handy began his acting career in 1977 on the television show Ryan's Hope. Over nearly five decades, he amassed an impressive filmography. He appeared as Jimmy the Bartender in Top Gun: Maverick, as the Exterminator in Jumanji, and as the Old Doctor in the X-Men spin-off Logan. His television credits include Captain Jim Haverill in NYPD Blue, Tom Shaunessy in Criminal Minds, and Representative Joe Bruno in The West Wing.
In The West Wing, Handy played a key role as the chairman of the House Reform and Government Oversight Committee during investigations into White House staffers' involvement in the Leo McGarry drug addiction and Jed Bartlet multiple sclerosis scandals.
The Incident
By 2026, Handy had moved to Los Angeles and was living with his girlfriend and her 44-year-old son, Michael Gledhill. On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., Los Angeles police received a disturbing 911 call from a man claiming, 'I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.' Officers responded to the 19200 block of Erwin Street, where they found Handy unconscious with a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced deceased.
Gledhill flagged down officers and told them he was the suspect they were looking for. He was arrested and is being held at Van Nuys Jail on a $2 million bail. Detectives are working to determine a motive, but authorities believe the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The LAPD has asked anyone with information to contact Robbery-Homicide detectives or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
