LOS ANGELES — Veteran character actor James Handy, 81, known for appearances in major films including Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, Arachnophobia, and Logan, was brutally murdered Wednesday morning in the front yard of a Tarzana home, authorities said. Police arrested the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s girlfriend.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded to the 19200 block of Erwin Street around 9:30 a.m. on June 3, 2026, following a 911 call reporting “unknown trouble.” The caller, later identified as Gledhill, chillingly told the dispatcher: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Upon arrival, officers found Handy unconscious in the front yard suffering from a stab wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.

Gledhill, who resides at the home with his mother (Handy’s girlfriend), allegedly flagged down responding officers and identified himself as the person they were looking for. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into Van Nuys jail with bail set at $2 million.

The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating the incident, which authorities described as isolated with no ongoing threat to the public. Detectives are seeking additional witnesses or information.

Handy had a long career in Hollywood spanning decades, with notable film credits including K-9, Unbreakable, and a role as a bartender in Top Gun: Maverick. He also appeared in numerous television shows such as NYPD Blue, Alias, and Profiler.

This tragic incident has shocked the entertainment community, as tributes to the veteran actor continue to emerge following news of his death.