Who is James Handy?
Last updated
Character actor James Handy — Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, Arachnophobia, Alias — died on June 3, 2026, at age 81, after being stabbed at a home in Tarzana, Los Angeles.
Quick facts
- Known for
- Character roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Jumanji, Arachnophobia, Unbreakable, and TV's Alias
- Born
- March 19, 1945, New York City
- Died
- June 3, 2026 (age 81), Tarzana, Los Angeles
- Career span
- 1977–2020s, starting with Ryan's Hope
Why people are searching for James Handy
Handy was stabbed to death at a home in Tarzana, Los Angeles, on June 3, 2026. Coverage of the killing — and the arrest of his girlfriend's son — put his name in front of readers who knew the face but not the name.
About James Handy
You'd know the face even if the name never registered. James Handy (March 19, 1945 – June 3, 2026) was an American character actor whose screen career spanned nearly five decades. Born in New York City, he began acting professionally in 1977 with a role on the daytime drama Ryan's Hope and went on to amass dozens of film and television credits.
On the big screen, Handy appeared in K-9 (1989) as Lieutenant Byers, Arachnophobia (1990), Jumanji (1995), Unbreakable (2000), and Logan (2017). His final high-profile film role came in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), in which he played Jimmy. On television, he was known for playing Arthur Devlin on the ABC spy series Alias and Lou Handleman on Profiler, along with guest appearances on shows including Law & Order, The West Wing, and Criminal Minds. He remained active in the industry into the 2020s.
Handy died on the morning of June 3, 2026, after suffering a stab wound to the chest at a home in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, where his girlfriend lived. Responding officers found him unconscious in the front yard. He was 81.
Police arrested Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy's girlfriend, who lived at the residence and who, according to reports, called 911 and identified himself as the person responsible before flagging down officers. Gledhill was charged with one count of murder with a special allegation of personally using a deadly weapon, and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered him to mental health court for psychological evaluation.
News of the killing spread in early June 2026, with outlets laying out the long résumé behind a face many readers recognized instantly.
Frequently asked questions
How did James Handy die?
He suffered a stab wound to the chest at a home in Tarzana, Los Angeles, on June 3, 2026, and died at age 81. Police found him unconscious in the front yard of the residence, where his girlfriend lived.
Who was arrested in James Handy's death?
Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy's girlfriend. He was arrested at the scene, charged with one count of murder, and ordered by a judge to mental health court for psychological evaluation.
What was James Handy in?
His films included K-9 (1989), Arachnophobia (1990), Jumanji (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Logan (2017), and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). On TV he played Arthur Devlin on Alias and appeared on Law & Order, The West Wing, and Criminal Minds.
How old was James Handy when he died?
81 — he was born March 19, 1945, in New York City.
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