James Handy, Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji actor, stabbed to death in Los Angeles.

American actor James Handy, known for his roles in films such as Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, has died at the age of 81 after being stabbed at his home in Los Angeles.

Handy was found unconscious outside of his home on Wednesday with several stab wounds to his chest.

Police officers responded to a 911 caller who said, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin." The son of the actor's girlfriend, Michael Gledhill, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after telling officers, "he was the person they were looking for."

Paying tribute, writer and producer Don Winslow, who created the 2001 drama UC: Undercover, in which Handy appeared, described him as a "terrific actor."

"We were honoured to have him in UC: Undercover in a recurring role," he said. "His performances were always special."

Handy was born in New York and appeared in a string of films and TV shows over six decades, often as a supporting character or for a limited number of episodes.

Despite rarely being the leading star, he racked up a list of credits, including NYPD Blue, K-9, Law & Order, CSI: NY, West Wing, The X-Files and Murder, She Wrote.

His most recent film role was in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, where he played Jimmy, a bartender who works with Tom Cruise's love interest, played by Jennifer Connelly.