Indian-born actor Shelley Malil is behind bars in California on suspicion of stabbing his estranged girlfriend, leaving her in critical condition, police have said.
Malil, 43, best known for a small part in the hit 2005 comedy The 40 Year Old Virgin, was detained on Monday after stepping off a train at Oceanside, outside San Diego, a spokesman for the San Diego County Sheriff's said.
Malil, who was born in Kerala, India, was the boyfriend of a woman stabbed more than 20 times before she was discovered at her home in San Marcos, northern San Diego County, late Sunday, officer Phil Brust said.
Police were alerted after they heard screams and the sound of breaking glass, arriving to find the woman with multiple stab wounds and severe cuts on her face, Brust added.
Brust said Malil had been en route to meet an attorney when he was arrested.
He faces charges of attempted murder, residential burglary and mayhem, the police officer said.
As well as his role in The 40 Year Old Virgin, Malil had won parts in several high-profile television shows including Reba, JAG, The West Wing, NYPD Blue and Scrubs.