James Handy, an 81-year-old actor with nearly 150 film and television credits spanning five decades, died Wednesday morning after being stabbed in the chest at his girlfriend’s Tarzana home by her 44-year-old son, who allegedly told a 911 dispatcher he had just killed the man of sin.

The Emergency Call and Arrest

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a residence on the 19200 block of Erwin Street Wednesday morning after receiving a disturbing 911 call. The caller identified himself with the words, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” When officers arrived at the scene, Michael Gledhill, 44, flagged them down and immediately identified himself as the person they were looking for.

Police discovered Handy unconscious in the front yard suffering from a stab wound to his chest. Paramedics transported the actor to a local hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead. Gledhill lived at the residence with his mother, who was in a relationship with Handy at the time of the incident.

Suspect Facing Murder Charge

Authorities arrested Gledhill at the scene and booked him into Van Nuys Jail on a murder charge. A judge set his bail at $2 million. The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing, though the suspect’s bizarre statement to emergency dispatchers suggests a possible mental health component to the case.

A Long Career in Hollywood

Handy built an extensive resume in the entertainment industry over nearly 50 years, appearing in major films including “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” According to IMDb, the veteran character actor accumulated close to 150 acting credits throughout his career. His television work included guest appearances on popular series such as “The West Wing,” “9-1-1,” and “NCIS: Los Angeles,” making him a familiar face to audiences across multiple generations of American television viewers.

What This Means

The death of Handy marks another tragedy in Hollywood’s community of working actors who dedicated their lives to the craft. The unusual circumstances surrounding his death, including the suspect’s cryptic statements and the domestic nature of the incident, raise questions about warning signs that may have been present before the fatal encounter. Los Angeles authorities have not released additional details about any prior incidents at the residence or the relationship dynamics between Handy, his girlfriend, and her son.