Who is James Handy? How to Watch The Slain Actor’s Iconic Roles From ‘Jumanji’ to ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Published June 5, 2026, 12:19 p.m. ET

Actor James Handy died on Wednesday (June 3) in Tarzana, California after being stabbed, The Los Angeles Times reports. He was 81.

According to the outlet, police responded to a suspicious 911 phone call, during which the caller allegedly told authorities, “I am the son of man. I just killed the man of sin.” The police arrived on the scene and found Handy unconscious and with a stab wound in his chest in the front yard of his home.

Per USA Today, Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy’s girlfriend, notified police that he was the one they were searching for. The outlet reports that Gledhill was arrested and charged with one count of murder, with his bail being set at $2 million.

DECIDER reached out to representatives for Handy to confirm the news of the actor’s passing, but did not hear back by time of publication.

Originally from New York City, Handy began his onscreen career with an appearance on Ryan’s Hope in the 70s, per IMDb. He went on to earn nearly 150 onscreen acting credits, with his most recent being in 2022’s Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

In light of Handy’s tragic passing, take a look at some movie and TV titles you can watch Handy in, and find out where to stream them.

1. Arachnophobia (1990)

   Photo: Everett Collection

   This horror comedy set in California follows a town suddenly invaded by a deadly species of spiders. Handy played Milton Briggs alongside co-stars Jeff Daniels, Brian McNamara, and Julian Sands in the movie, which is available to rent or buy on VOD platforms.

2. The Rocketeer (1991)

   Photo: Everett Collection

   Jennifer Connelly and Billy Cambell lead this 1991 sci-fi movie, which sees Campbell’s Cliff Secord transform into the hero, The Rocketeer. Handy played Wooly in The Rocketeer, which is available to stream on Disney+.

3. Jumanji (1995)

   Photo: Everett Collection

   A magical board game goes awry for the likes of Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, and Kirsten Dunst in this family adventure film, which has since spawned several sequels. In the 1995 movie, Handy played the Exterminator. You can stream Jumanji (1995) on AMC and Netflix.

4. CSI: NY

   Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images

   CSI: NY is just one of the slew of TV series that Handy has appeared in over the course of his career. He played Charles Ross in a 2012 episode of the Big Apple-based procedural, which is available to stream on Paramount+, Hulu, and Pluto TV.

5. Logan (2017)

   Photo: Everett Collection

   The superhero film based on Marvel’s “Old Man Logan” comics led by Hugh Jackman featured Handy as an Old Doctor. The movie, which became the first live-action superhero film to be nominated for an Oscar, is streaming on Disney+.

6. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

   Photo: Everett Collection

   Handy plaed a bartender in the long-awaited Top Gun sequel led by none other than Tom Cruise‘s Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick is currently streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.