LOS ANGELES, CA — James Handy, a veteran character actor who appeared in films including "Top Gun: Maverick," "Logan," "Jumanji" and "Arachnophobia," was fatally stabbed at a Tarzana home Wednesday. Authorities arrested the 44-year-old son of Handy's girlfriend on suspicion of murder, police said.
Los Angeles Police Department officers responded at around 9:30 a.m. to the 19200 block of Erwin Street after receiving a report of unknown trouble. According to police, the 911 caller told dispatchers, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."
When officers arrived, they found Handy, 81, unconscious in the front yard with a stab wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced dead, according to the LAPD.
Authorities on Thursday identified the victim as the longtime actor, who amassed more than 150 film and television credits during a career spanning more than five decades.
Handy also appeared in television series including "Alias," "Criminal Minds," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Rizzoli & Isles," "CSI: NY" and "Cold Case," according to reports. Most recently, he portrayed a bartender in 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick."
Investigators said the suspect flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for. Authorities identified the suspect as Michael Gledhill, 44, of Tarzana.
Gledhill lived at the home with his mother, who was Handy's girlfriend, police said.
Gledhill was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held on $2 million bail, police said.
Detectives said they believe the stabbing was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Gledhill was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.
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