James Handy, a character actor who has graced the screens in films such as Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick, was tragically found stabbed to death outside his Los Angeles residence.
Police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning and discovered Handy, an 81‑year‑old, unconscious after a multiple chest wound. He was transported to a hospital and later pronounced deceased.
The department says officers had responded to a 911 call that declared, I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin, immediately providing a clear lead.
Michael Gledhill, the 44‑year‑old who lives at the home with his mother, was taken into custody after he admitted to officers that he was the suspect. He was booked on suspicion of one count of murder, with bail set at $2 million.
Jail records show no retained attorney for Gledhill, and messages left with the county public defender’s office have not been answered. The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Born in New York, Handy had a long career in film and television. Portraying an exterminator in 1995’s Jumanji and a bartender named Jimmy in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, the actor also appeared in crime dramas such as NCIS: Los Angeles, The Closer and Cold Case.
Pam Ellis‑Evenas of the Ellis Talent Group expressed her sorrow, writing, I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy, reflecting the deep loss felt in the community.
The case underscores the tragic implications of violence in communities and invites a broader conversation about safety, mental health, and support systems for those in the entertainment industry and beyond.
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