Actor James Handy, who appeared in Disney’s The Rocketeer and dozens of film and television productions over a career spanning more than four decades, has died at the age of 81.
According to Deadline, Handy died after being stabbed during an incident at a residence in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday, June 3. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call at approximately 9:30 AM and found Handy unconscious in the front yard of the home with a stab wound to the chest. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Reportedly, the 911 caller told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Authorities identified the suspect as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, who allegedly flagged down responding officers and admitted involvement in the incident. LAPD stated that Gledhill and his mother lived with Handy, and that Gledhill’s mother was the actor’s girlfriend. Gledhill was arrested on suspicion of murder, with his bail set at $2 million.
Disney fans may remember Handy for his role as FBI Agent “Wooly” Wolinski in the 1991 film The Rocketeer.
— Handy alongside Ed Lauter in The Rocketeer
Beyond his Disney connection, Handy built an extensive résumé across film and television. His film credits included The Verdict (1982), Arachnophobia (1990), Jumanji (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Logan (2017), and Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which marked his final big-screen appearance.
Born in New York City, Handy made his onscreen debut in 1977 on the ABC soap Ryan’s Hope. Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous television series, including Quantum Leap, Murder, She Wrote, The X-Files, Law & Order, The West Wing, Alias, and Criminal Minds.
— Handy in Jumanji
Source: Deadline
