Actor James Handy was tragically killed at the age of 81, and the horrible incident occurred at his home in Tarzana, California.
Handy, who appeared in films such as “Logan,” “Jumanji,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and “Arachnophobia,” was found dead on Wednesday, June 4, with authorities responding to a 911 call in a residential neighborhood of Tarzana. When they arrived, they saw Handy in his front yard with a stab wound to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead. As for the suspect, his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, was the 911 caller, and he told authorities it was he whom they were looking for. He was arrested, and bail was set at $2 million.
According to the LA Times, Handy lived on Erwin Street in Tarzana, which is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of California and is located just over 20 miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
A view of Handy’s home can be found in this news report from ABC 7.
The outlet further reports that the girlfriend and her son lived at the home where Handy was found.
“The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for,” a police statement said. “The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend.”
Police Haven’t Released Any Information On A Potential Motive
Police say that they believe this was an isolated incident and there doesn’t appear to be any danger to the public. However, there has been no specific information on the murder has been released.
According to PEOPLE, the “streets near Handy’s home were blocked off by law enforcement” following the incident, with authorities going door-to-door to ask residents some questions. According to the dispatch audio, law enforcement was told to “advise who opens and who doesn’t.”
Gledhill is being held at Van Nuys Jail, charged with one count of murder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division detectives at 818-374-9550. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
James Handy Had Just Under 150 Acting Credits Throughout His Career
According to his IMDb page, Handy had around 150 acting credits, which included his best-known roles in 1995’s “Jumanji,” where he played an exterminator in the movie that starred Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and Jonathan Hyde. Then, in “Top Gun: Maverick,” he played a bartender named Jimmy, as well as a doctor who talks with Hugh Jackman’s character in 2017’s “Logan.” In 2001, he played Father MacGuffin in the comedy “Senior Entourage,” with the film’s director, Brian Connors, saying Handy was one of the “finest character actors I know” in a Facebook post last year, per the LA Times.
He also appeared in televison shows such as “The West Wing,” “9-1-1,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “CSI: NY,” “The Young and The Restless,” “Castle,” “Criminal Minds,”Cold Case,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Without a Trace,” “ER,” “The X-Files,” and “Mulaney.”
Many fans paid tribute following this sad news.
“This is absolutely devastating news. James Handy was one of those reliable character actors who brought so much depth to every single frame he was in, no matter how big or small the role. To have his life cut short by such a senseless act of violence is heartbreaking. Sending so much love to his family and friends right now,” one person wrote.
“That’s wild and so sad. James Handy was one of those ‘that guy’ actors you loved seeing pop up everywhere. RIP legend,” another person commented.
