James Handy, 81, born March 19, 1945, in New York City, New York, the veteran actor known for films such as Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, and Logan, was stabbed to death Wednesday morning at a home in Los Angeles. The suspect, Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, was arrested and charged with murder, according to a press release from authorities Thursday. Gledhill is in custody.
The Los Angeles Police Department, West Valley patrol officers responded to a call about an unspecified incident in the Tarzana neighborhood around 9:30 a.m. The 911 caller stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Handy was found in the front yard of the house, unconscious with a stab wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.
Police allege that Gledhill stopped responding officers and identified himself as the person they were looking for. He was arrested and taken to Van Nuys County Jail, where he was charged with murder, with bail set at $2,000,000. The stabbing is believed to have been an isolated incident and, at this time, poses no danger to the public.
Handy’s agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, confirmed his death in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I confirm the gentleman who was attacked and killed Wednesday at Tarzana was actor James Handy.”
Handy’s acting career began in 1977, when he appeared in two episodes of the series “Ryan’s Hope.” During the 1980s, he guest-starred on television series such as Cagney & Lacey, Spenser: For Hire, and Matlock. In film, he appeared in movies such as Taps and The Verdict. He then appeared in films such as Arachnophobia and The Rocketeer, as well as numerous popular series, including Alias, The West Wing, Melrose Place, NYPD Blue, The Practice, Walker, Texas Ranger and The Young and the Restless.
