James Handy, a longtime actor who appeared because the bartender in “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji” and had visitor roles on dozen of TV exhibits, was killed Wednesday in a stabbing within the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was 81. The LAPD stated he was killed by his girlfriend’s son.
“On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street. The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’ Upon their arrival, officers discovered 81-year-old James Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. The victim was transported to local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for. The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” the police assertion learn.
“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time,” the police assertion stated.
The suspect, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, was arrested and booked at Van Nuys Jail for one rely of homicide with $2 million in bail.
Along with his position in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” Helpful appeared in “Logan” in 2017 because the physician who handled Hugh Jackman. In 1995’s “Jumanji,” Helpful performed the exterminator, whereas in “Arachnophobia,” he performed Milton Briggs. His different movie appearances included “The Rocketeer,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “The Verdict” and “K-9.”
On tv, Helpful performed Arthur Devlin in eight episodes of “Alias” and had recurring roles on “Melrose Place” and “NYPD Blue.”
Born in New York, Helpful had his first display credit score in 1977’s “Taps.”
