See ‘Jumanji’ actor James Handy’s final public appearance before fatal stabbing by girlfriend’s son

By Page Six | Created at 2026-06-05 13:01:49 | Updated at 2026-06-09 09:53:48 3 days ago

“Jumanji” actor James Handy made his last public appearance in 2017 — almost a decade before being fatally stabbed by his girlfriend’s son.

In a photo taken on Sept. 24, 2017, Handy sat beside the cast of the 2021 mockumentary comedy film “Senior Entourage” — specifically David Lockhart, Ed Asner, Mark Rydell and Helen Reddy, as well as director Brian Connors.

The group gathered at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California, for an early production concept event for the film, which didn’t come out until four years later.

James Handy made his final public appearance with his “Senior Entourage” co-stars David Lockhart, Ed Asner, Mark Rydell, Helen Reddy and director Brian Connors in September 2017 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California, as pictured above. Getty Images
Handy (seen above in “Jumanji” with Kirsten Dunst) joined the group for an early production concept event for the mockumentary film, which didn’t come out until 2021. Sony Pictures

Handy wore a fancy button-down shirt, black pants and black shoes in his final public appearance.

The late actor played Father MacGuffin in the movie, dubbed the “‘Seinfeld’ for seniors.”

Connors directed the independent film, which did not have a wide theatrical release.

Handy (Seen above in “The Verdict”) wore a button-down shirt and pants in his final public appearance. Alamy
Handy (pictured above in an episode of “Castle”) starred in “Senior Entourage” as Father MacGuffin. ABC

Handy was brutally stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s son in Los Angeles on Wednesday. He was 81.

Authorities told The California Post that he had been rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead after being found unconscious in the front yard of a Tarzana, California home with multiple stab wounds to the chest.

Cops had responded to a 911 call where the caller said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Handy (seen above in a 1995 episode of “NYPD Blue”) was murdered in Los Angeles on Wednesday. He was 81. Disney via Getty Images
Handy (seen above with Bobby Hosea in 1995’s “The O.J. Simpson Story”) was stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s son, according to police. 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection

Michael Gledhill, 44, has been named as the suspect in the attack.

Gledhill — who was living with his mother, Handy’s girlfriend, at the time of the stabbing — allegedly waved down officers a short time later and told them he was the one they were looking for, police said.

In chilling surveillance footage, Gledhill could be seen walking away from the bloody scene before returning and surrendering himself to the police.

Gledhill’s bail is currently set at $2 million.

Handy was killed at the Tarzana, California home pictured above. Clint Brewer Photography / BACKGRID
The suspect, 44-year-old Michael Gledhill (seen above) allegedly lived at the residence with his mother, who was dating Handy. Fox11
Police said Gledhill identified himself as the attacker and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Fox11

Handy was best known for playing an exterminator in 1995’s “Jumanji” and a bartender named Jimmy in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.”

He made numerous one-off appearances on TV shows over the years, like “Quantum Leap,” “NYPD Blue,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “The West Wing,” “The Practice” and “Castle.”

In total, Handy has nearly 150 acting credits to his name, according to his IMDb page.

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