Actor James Handy's Final Film Project Reportedly Canceled Following His Death
James Handy, who became known for various roles in his career, died on June 3 following a fatal stabbing in front of his home. The actor was scheduled to star in a comedy film, with its producer revealing they have decided not to move forward with the project.
In a report to TMZ, Heidi Anderson-Swan served as the writer and producer of what would have been the film Kickback V. The film would have focused on a group of nerds learning martial arts. Its storyline follows their growing bond as friends and with their karate sensei.
According to Anderson-Swan, Kickback V is officially cancelled following Handy's death. She also revealed that the project was already halted during pre-production due to several issues, including financing. When it came to the late actor, the producer said he was one of the "sweetest people" she's met in Hollywood and recalls how he helped her when she first broke into the industry. His impact on her is what led her to cast Handy in the film.
After learning of the actor's death, Anderson-Swan admitted she's still in shock. On June 3, it was reported that Handy had died after suffering fatal stab wounds. Authorities found the actor unconscious in his front yard with a stab wound to the chest.
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West Valley area patrol officers had responded to a 911 call in the neighborhood involving unspecified trouble around 9:30 a.m. According to the report, the 911 caller stated, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin." It was later learned that the actor was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police later revealed that the stabbing was "an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time." They arrested 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy's girlfriend, and charged him with murder. Wendy Glendhill broke her silence to reveal that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025 and was taking medication. He had reportedly stopped taking them before the murder occurred.
Handy was known for his supporting roles in cult classic films like 1995's Jumanji. He also appeared in a small role in Tom Cruise's 2022 blockbuster hitTop Gun: Maverick. The action film was his last credited role on the big screen. He was also known for his series, like playing the role of Arthur Devlin in Alias and Lou Handleman in Profiler. In 2021, he played a guest role in 9-1-1.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 11:59 AM.