LOS ANGELES — Actor James Handy was found unconscious in the front yard of a Tarzana home on Wednesday morning with a stab wound to the chest. Paramedics transported Handy, 81, to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities identified Michael Gledhill, 44, as the suspect in the fatal stabbing. Gledhill was arrested and booked on a charge of murder.
Police reported that a 911 call placed on Wednesday morning stated, "I am the son of man. I just killed the man of sin." Responding officers were approached by Gledhill at the scene, who identified himself as the person responsible. Police further stated that the stabbing appears to be an isolated incident, and no ongoing threat to the public exists.
Gledhill resides at the home with his mother, who was in a relationship with Handy. He was detained at Van Nuys Jail with bail set at $2 million. Online court records did not list an active case for Gledhill on Thursday evening.
"With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy," said Pam Ellis-Evenas, Handy's talent agent. Handy was born in New York City and began his acting career in the late 1970s, accumulating over 150 film and television credits.
Handy's film credits include roles in "Arachnophobia," "Jumanji," and "Logan." He appeared in "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022, playing the role of bartender Jimmy. He held recurring roles on television series including "Alias," "Profiler," and "NYPD Blue." Handy produced the 2022 film "Street to Table."