Acclaimed Supporting Actor from "Top Gun" Stabbed to Death at Home... Who Is the Suspect?

Found Stabbed in Front Yard of His Home
Girlfriend’s Son, Who Lived With Him, Arrested

James Handy, the Hollywood actor known for his roles in films such as "Jumanji" and "Top Gun: Maverick," has died at the age of 81 after being stabbed. The suspect is the son of his girlfriend, who reportedly lived in the same house as Handy.

On June 6, Yonhap News Agency, citing U.S. entertainment media Variety and the Associated Press, reported that Handy was found unconscious with a stab wound to his chest in his front yard in Los Angeles on June 3. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital, but he was ultimately pronounced dead.

James Handy during his lifetime. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested Michael Gladhill, 44, the son of Handy's girlfriend, at the scene on suspicion of murder. Gladhill is known to have lived with his mother and Handy in the same residence. The court has ordered a psychological evaluation to assess Gladhill’s mental state. His bail was set at 2 million dollars (approximately 3 billion won). The exact motive for the crime remains unknown. However, the Los Angeles Times reported that Gladhill had recently been experiencing mental health issues.

Born in New York in 1944, Handy began his acting career in the late 1970s and appeared in more than 150 films and television shows. He was acclaimed for his supporting roles in hit productions such as the 1995 film "Jumanji," as well as "The X-Files," "NCIS: Los Angeles," and "The Closer." More recently, he appeared in the blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), where he played the role of a bartender.

A representative from Handy's agency expressed condolences, saying, "He was a talented, humble, and dignified actor and friend."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.