Los Angeles police said the suspect lived at the same home as the actor.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The death of veteran actor James Handy is under investigation after police said he was stabbed Wednesday outside a residence in Tarzana and later died at a hospital.
Handy, 81, was found unconscious in the front yard of a home in the 19200 block of Erwin Street after officers responded to a morning 911 call. Los Angeles police said he had been stabbed in the chest. The case quickly shifted from an emergency response to a homicide investigation.
Michael Gledhill, 44, was arrested at the scene and booked on suspicion of murder, police said. Investigators said Gledhill is the son of Handy’s girlfriend and lived at the residence with both of them. Police said bail was set at $2 million.
The 911 call included a statement that police later released. The caller said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” according to the LAPD. Officers said Gledhill flagged them down when they arrived and told them he was the person they were seeking.
Handy was a familiar face in Hollywood even when his name was not at the top of the poster. He appeared in films including “Jumanji,” “The Rocketeer,” “Arachnophobia,” “Logan” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” His TV work included “NYPD Blue,” “The X-Files,” “The West Wing,” “Alias” and “Criminal Minds.”
Police have not released a motive. They also have not said whether Handy and Gledhill had argued before the stabbing or whether other witnesses saw the attack. Investigators said the killing appeared to be isolated and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division’s Valley Bureau Section is leading the case. Detectives were continuing to gather evidence from the home and surrounding area while preparing reports for prosecutors.
As of Friday, June 5, Gledhill remained the named suspect in the case. Police had not released further details on a possible court appearance, charging decision or the final timeline of events inside the home.
Author note: Last updated June 5, 2026.