A veteran character actor known for roles in major Hollywood films was fatally stabbed outside his Los Angeles residence, with authorities taking his girlfriend’s son into custody for the crime.
James Handy, 81, who had parts in “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” was discovered with a chest wound and unconscious outside his residence on Wednesday morning, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Medical personnel transported him to a local hospital where he was declared dead.
Authorities responded to the residence following an emergency call in which the caller stated: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” police reported.
Michael Gledhill was taken into custody after informing responding officers that he was the individual they sought, the department stated.
The 44-year-old suspect, who resides with his mother at the home, faces charges for one count of murder, police confirmed. Court records indicate his bond was established at $2 million.
Legal representation for the suspect remains unclear at this time. County jail records do not list an attorney, and attempts to reach the public defender’s office went unanswered.
A New York native, Handy built a career spanning multiple decades in both television and cinema.
His notable performances included playing an exterminator in the 1995 adventure film “Jumanji” and portraying bartender Jimmy in last year’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” based on IMDB records. His television credits featured appearances on prominent crime series such as “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Closer” and “Cold Case.”
“I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy,” Pam Ellis-Evenas, from the Ellis Talent Group, said in an email to The Associated Press.
