A veteran character actor with more than 150 credits to his name has died following a violent incident at a Los Angeles residence. James Handy, 81, was fatally stabbed Wednesday morning in what police are describing as an isolated domestic incident.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a distressing 911 call at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. The caller stated, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin," according to the LAPD's official statement.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The suspect, identified as Michael Gledhill, 44, allegedly flagged down responding officers and told them that he was the one they were looking for, according to police. Gledhill resides at the location with his mother, who is Handy's girlfriend, the LAPD statement indicated.
Gledhill was arrested and booked at Van Nuys Jail on one count of murder. Bail has been set at two million dollars. Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and have stated there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.
Handy's representatives confirmed his death on Thursday, June 4. The investigation remains active, and authorities are requesting anyone with additional information to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Section, Detectives Simonyan or Lopez, at (818) 374-9550.
The New York-born actor built a prolific career spanning nearly five decades. He appeared in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick as a bartender and portrayed an exterminator in the 1995 adventure classic Jumanji. In 2017, he played a doctor in Logan opposite Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.
Handy's extensive filmography includes roles in Arachnophobia (1990) and The Rocketeer (1991). His television work encompassed appearances on NYPD Blue, Beverly Hills, 90210, Law & Order; Profiler, The Young and the Restless, and 9-1-1. His first acting role came in the 1977 film Taps.
The loss of Handy represents the passing of a working actor whose face appeared across generations of film and television, contributing to some of Hollywood's most memorable productions through supporting roles that helped bring stories to life.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
