Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the fatal stabbing of actor James Handy, according to law enforcement. Officers responded Wednesday morning to a home after a 911 caller made a disturbing statement to dispatchers, saying, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” police said. When officers arrived, they found Handy, 81, in the front yard with a stab wound to the chest and unconscious. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police identified the suspect as Michael Gledhill, who is the son of Handy’s girlfriend and lived at the home with his mother. According to authorities, Gledhill told officers that he was the person they were looking for. He was booked on suspicion of one count of murder, and jail records showed his bail was set at $2 million. It was not immediately clear whether he had legal representation.
Handy was a veteran actor with decades of work in film and television. Born in New York, he appeared in a wide range of productions over the years and was known to many audiences for his role as an exterminator in the 1995 film “Jumanji.” He also appeared in “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022, playing bartender Jimmy. In addition to his film work, he had roles in several crime dramas on television, including “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Closer,” and “Cold Case.”
News of Handy’s death prompted tributes from people who worked with him. Pam Ellis-Evenas of Ellis Talent Group described him as a talented, humble, and gracious client and friend. The killing has shocked those familiar with Handy’s long career and his reputation in the entertainment industry.
Authorities have not yet released further details about a possible motive or the events leading up to the stabbing. The investigation remains ongoing.
