Michael Gledhill, 44, has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of James Handy, a veteran American character actor known for his roles in Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick. Handy, 81, was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds to the chest in the front garden of his home in Tarzana, a neighbourhood in the western San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, on Wednesday. He was transported to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers were alerted after a 911 caller said, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin." Gledhill, who lived at the property with his mother — Handy's girlfriend — subsequently flagged down responding officers and told them he was the person they were looking for. He was arrested and booked on one count of murder, with bail set at $2 million. At an arraignment on Friday, Gledhill did not appear in court — his lawyer told the judge that the sheriff's department had decided not to bring him to the courtroom — and no plea was entered. Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered Gledhill to mental health court for psychological evaluation, with a separate judge to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Born in New York, Handy built a career spanning six decades as a reliable and widely admired supporting actor in both film and television. His film credits included Jumanji (1995), Arachnophobia, K-9, and Logan, while his most recent major role was as Jimmy, a bartender, in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. On television, he accumulated an extensive list of appearances across some of the most prominent American dramas, including The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Law & Order, The X-Files, NCIS, CSI: NY, Castle, Murder She Wrote, and The Closer, frequently appearing as a recurring or guest character.

"I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy," said Pam Ellis-Evenas of the Ellis Talent Group. Fellow industry figures echoed the sentiment, with one television producer describing him as a "superb character actor" whose performances were "always special."

The Los Angeles Police Department said detectives believe the incident was isolated and that there is no ongoing danger to the public. The case has drawn attention to the circumstances of Handy's death, as well as to the breadth of a career that, while rarely placing him centre stage, left a lasting mark on American screen culture.