American actor James Handy, known for his roles in popular movies like “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” has passed away due to a fatal stabbing incident, as reported by the Los Angeles police department. The suspect in custody for his murder is the son of Handy’s girlfriend.
The tragic event unfolded when officers discovered Handy unconscious outside his residence in Tarzana, Calif., with severe stab wounds to his chest on Wednesday morning. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Handy succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as Michael Gledhill, aged 44, resides at the same residence with his mother, according to law enforcement officials. Gledhill himself alerted nearby police officers after making a distressing 911 call stating, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Born in New York, Handy had a prolific acting career spanning six decades, with notable roles such as exterminator Carl Bentley in the 1995 film “Jumanji” and bartender Jimmy in the recent 2022 release “Top Gun: Maverick.” In the latter, he portrayed a character working alongside Jennifer Connelly’s Penny Benjamin, the love interest of Tom Cruise’s role as Lieut. Pete (Maverick) Mitchell.
Apart from these blockbuster hits, Handy also made appearances in acclaimed TV series like “NYPD Blue,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “CSI:NY,” accumulating nearly 150 film and TV credits, including movies such as “Arachnophobia” (1990) and “The Rocketeer” (1991). Industry members have expressed their sorrow over Handy’s passing, with his agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, praising him as a talented and humble individual.
The suspect, Gledhill, has been formally charged with one count of murder, with a bail amount set at $2 million US, according to jail records. The entertainment community has been quick to offer condolences, with tributes pouring in from various industry figures, highlighting Handy’s remarkable talent and contributions to the entertainment world.
