Veteran actor James Handy was stabbed to death in his home in Tarzana. His girlfriend’s son fatally stabbed him and then made a horrific 911 call. Identified as Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old called the authorities and said, “I am the son of man. I just killed the man of sin.”

Handy is known for his roles in Jumanji, Top Gun: Maverick, Logan, and Arachnophobia. He also made guest appearances in crime dramas. In the movie Top Gun, he played a bartender alongside Tom Cruise.

Gledhill called 911 at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday after brutally murdering the 81-year-old. The police found Handy in the front yard of their Erwin Street home. He was lying there unconscious and had multiple stab wounds on his chest. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

 

Gledhill also lives at their Erwin Street home with his mother while she was in a relationship with Handy. He was arrested and taken to Van Nuys Jail. He has been charged with one count of murder, and his bail is set at $2 million.

According to the LA Times, when the police arrived, the accused waved at them and said he was the one they were looking for. The investigators have called it an isolated event, and there’s no risk to the public.


The tragic news of Handy’s murder has shocked fans. There was an output of comments on social media. One YouTube viewer commented, “That’s so sad. Rest in peace.” One X user posted, “That’s wild and so sad. James Handy was one of those ‘that guy’ actors you loved seeing pop up everywhere. RIP legend.”

Another one added, “Absolutely heartbreaking. 81 years old and taken like this… sending prayers to everyone who knew him.” Several people suspected that the murderer was mentally sick or under the influence at the time of the crime.

The motive of the murder remains unclear as the investigators haven’t found what led to the fatal attack. Handy had contributed decades of his life to Hollywood. His career started in the 70s. According to IMDb, he has almost 150 acting credits.