American actor James Handy, renowned for his supporting roles in popular films such as “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” has passed away following a fatal stabbing, as stated by the Los Angeles police department. The suspect in custody for his murder is his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, who resides in the same household.
The tragic incident unfolded when officers discovered Handy unconscious outside his residence in Tarzana, Calif., with severe stab wounds to his chest. Despite being swiftly taken to the hospital, Handy succumbed to his injuries. Gledhill, aged 44, who lives with his mother at the same residence, was the one who alerted nearby police officers after making a disturbing 911 call stating, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Hailing from New York, Handy enjoyed a prolific career spanning six decades in television and film. He is fondly remembered for his portrayal of exterminator Carl Bentley in the 1995 hit “Jumanji” and his more recent role in “Top Gun: Maverick” released in 2022. In the latter, he portrayed the character of bartender Jimmy, working alongside Penny Benjamin, played by Jennifer Connelly, the romantic interest of Tom Cruise’s character, Lieut. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Handy’s impressive repertoire includes recurring appearances in popular crime and drama series like “NYPD Blue,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “CSI: NY,” “The Closer,” and “Cold Case,” among others. With close to 150 film and TV credits to his name, his filmography includes notable works such as “Arachnophobia” (1990), “The Rocketeer” (1991), “K-9,” and “Logan” (2017).
Following the news of his untimely demise, tributes from industry peers have started pouring in. His agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, expressed her deep sorrow, describing Handy as an incredibly talented, modest, and kind individual. Notable figures like entertainment writer Jay Bobbin and writer-producer Don Winslow have also paid their respects, acknowledging Handy’s exceptional talent and contributions to the industry.
The accused, Michael Gledhill, has been charged with one count of murder and is currently being held on $2 million bail, according to official jail records. The entertainment world mourns the loss of a remarkable talent in the form of James Handy.
