Veteran character actor James Handy, 81, died after being stabbed at his home in Tarzana, Los Angeles. Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy's girlfriend, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death.
Police discovered Handy unconscious in the front yard of his Tarzana residence at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He had sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a 911 caller stated: "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin." When officers arrived at the scene, Gledhill told them he was "the one they were looking for." The police statement noted that Gledhill resides at the location with his mother, who is Handy's girlfriend.
Gledhill has been charged on suspicion of murder, with bail set at 2 million dollars. Murder proceedings have been temporarily paused as Gledhill undergoes a mental competency examination, according to court filings. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office will proceed with the case pending the results of the evaluation. If Gledhill is found mentally competent to stand trial, he will face murder charges. This type of evaluation is standard procedure when questions arise about a defendant's ability to understand court proceedings or assist in their own defense.
Handy had a distinguished career spanning decades in film and television. He was known for his character roles in productions including Jumanji, Top Gun: Maverick, and Logan. His acting career began in 1977 with the television series Ryan's Hope. Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous other productions including K-911, Law and Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds. His most recent film appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022.
The actor was born in New York City and built a reputation for his work in character roles across multiple genres. His death has drawn attention both due to his profile in the entertainment industry and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not released additional details about the events leading up to the stabbing or a possible motive for the attack. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney's office.