James Handy‘s death has left many fans searching for answers about the actor’s life away from the spotlight. The Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji star died at age 81 after he was allegedly stabbed at his Los Angeles home, and authorities have charged Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s longtime girlfriend, in connection with the case.
As details continue to emerge, here’s what to know about the actor’s relationship and personal life.
Handy kept his personal life largely out of the spotlight, and the identity of his longtime girlfriend has not been publicly revealed. However, authorities confirmed that the couple lived together in Tarzana, California, where the actor was killed in June 2026.
It’s unclear exactly how long Handy and his girlfriend were together. While neither of them spoke publicly about their relationship, reports following the actor’s death described her as his longtime girlfriend, suggesting the pair had been together for several years.
It’s not publicly known whether Handy was ever married. The veteran actor generally kept his private life away from the spotlight, though reports indicate he was in a long-term relationship at the time of his death.
There are no known public records indicating that Handy had children. Throughout his decades-long career, he rarely discussed his family life in interviews.
Michael Gledhill is the 44-year-old son of Handy’s longtime girlfriend. According to authorities, he lived at the Tarzana home with his mother and Handy.
