James Handy spent more than five decades working steadily in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Jumanji, Top Gun: Maverick and Logan while racking up dozens of television credits. The veteran character actor died on June 4, 2026, at age 81 after he was allegedly stabbed during a domestic dispute at a home in Los Angeles’ Tarzana neighborhood.
“I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy,” his talent manager, Pam Ellis-Evenas of Ellis Talent Group, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
As fans and colleagues mourn his death, learn more about Handy’s life, career and family below.
How Did James Handy Die?
Handy died on June 4, 2026, after he was allegedly stabbed during a domestic dispute at his home in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to the residence on the morning of June 4 after a 911 caller reportedly said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” When officers arrived, they found Handy unconscious in the front yard with stab wounds to his chest. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities arrested 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s longtime girlfriend, in connection with the killing. Police said Gledhill lived at the residence with his mother and Handy and allegedly called 911 before later approaching officers and identifying himself as the suspect. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive, and the case remains under investigation.
How Old Was James Handy?
Handy was 81 years old at the time of his death. He was born in 1944 and spent nearly five decades working in film and television.
What Movies and TV Shows Was James Handy In?
Handy was a prolific character actor with nearly 150 screen credits. He was known for playing the exterminator in the 1995 film Jumanji and bartender Jimmy in Top Gun: Maverick. Other film credits included Logan, Arachnophobia, Taps, and Burglar.
On television, he appeared in numerous popular series, including The West Wing, Alias, NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, ER and Melrose Place.
Was James Handy Married?
Handy largely kept his personal life private, and it is unclear whether he was ever married. At the time of his death, however, he was in a longtime relationship with a woman whose son, Michael, has been accused of fatally stabbing the actor. According to authorities, Gledhill lived at the Tarzana home with his mother and Handy.
