James Ransone, US actor known for The Wire, dies aged 46
Ransone's film credits include “It: Chapter Two,” “The Black Phone” and “Black Phone 2,” and he appeared in TV shows including the cop drama “Bosch” and “Poker Face.”
Actor James Ransone, a cast member in "The Son of No One," poses at its premiere during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. (Photo: AP)
James Ransone, the American actor best known for his role in the HBO series The Wire, has died at the age of 46, The Guardian reported.The Los Angeles medical examiner said Ransone died on Friday and ruled the death a suicide, according to the report.
Ransone appeared in 12 episodes of The Wire, where he played Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka, a dock worker whose story featured prominently in the show’s second season. The series was created by David Simon.
He later reunited with Simon in the HBO miniseries Generation Kill, playing US Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person in all seven episodes. Ransone also appeared in the 2019 film It Chapter Two as Eddie Kaspbrak.
Tributes were shared online following news of his death.
Actor François Arnaud wrote on Instagram: “RIP James Ransone. Unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.”
Who was James Ransone?
James Ransone was born in Baltimore in 1979 and studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Maryland. He began his acting career with the 2002 film Ken Park before gaining wider attention with The Wire in 2003.
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In 2021, Ransone said he had been sexually abused by a former tutor who worked in Maryland public schools, The Guardian reported, citing earlier coverage by the Baltimore Sun. He said the abuse later contributed to struggles with alcohol and heroin addiction.
Page Six reported that Ransone informed authorities about the abuse in 2020, but no criminal charges were filed.
In a 2016 interview with Interview magazine, Ransone spoke about the emotional impact of his work. “Some of my roles ask me to humanise characters who are not likeable,” he said. “So I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin. As a result of that, I don’t always feel good.”
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Actor James Ransone, a cast member in "The Son of No One," poses at its premiere during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. (Photo: AP) 
