Actor James Ransone Dead at 46, Authorities Say

James Ransone, the American actor best known for his role as Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 46, authorities confirmed.

Information from the Los Angeles County medical examiner indicated that Ransone died on Friday, with the cause of death listed as suicide. Further details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not immediately disclosed.

Ransone gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka, a troubled dock worker who becomes involved in petty crime during the second season of The Wire.

The series, created by David Simon, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and critically acclaimed television dramas of all time. Ransone appeared in 12 episodes of the show, leaving a lasting impression on audiences for his raw and emotionally charged performance.

He later reunited with Simon on the HBO miniseries Generation Kill, where he starred alongside Alexander Skarsgård.

In the seven-episode series, Ransone played real-life US Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person, a role that further established his reputation for portraying complex, often flawed characters with depth and authenticity.

In more recent years, Ransone appeared in the 2019 film It Chapter Two, playing Eddie Kaspbrak, one of the adult members of the Losers’ Club in the sequel to the successful horror adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.

His performance stood out in a cast that included Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Skarsgård, who portrayed the film’s antagonist, Pennywise.

News of Ransone’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes and condolences from fans and colleagues on social media, many of whom praised his talent and versatility as an actor.

Among those who paid tribute was fellow actor François Arnaud, a cast member of Heated Rivalry, currently streaming on HBO Max.

“RIP James Ransone,” Arnaud wrote Sunday on Instagram. “Unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.”

Ransone was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1979. He attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson from 1993 to 1997, where he developed an early interest in acting.

He made his film debut in the 2002 teen drama Ken Park, which marked the beginning of a career that would span more than two decades across film and television.

In 2021, Ransone publicly disclosed that he had been sexually abused by a former tutor who worked within the Maryland public school system, according to a report by the Baltimore Sun.

In an Instagram post at the time, Ransone said the abuse contributed to struggles with alcohol and heroin addiction later in his life.

Celebrity news outlet Page Six reported that Ransone formally reported the abuse in 2020, but authorities ultimately declined to pursue criminal charges related to the allegations.

Ransone had spoken candidly about the emotional toll of acting and the psychological challenges that came with inhabiting difficult roles.

In a 2016 interview with Interview magazine, he described how his work often required him to empathize with characters who were deeply flawed.

Some of his roles, he said, called on him to humanize people who were not easy to like. “So I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin,” Ransone said. “As a result of that, I don’t always feel good.”

Ransone’s body of work, marked by intensity and emotional honesty, earned him respect within the industry and a devoted following among viewers.

His death has renewed conversations about mental health, trauma, and the pressures faced by performers, particularly those who draw heavily from personal experience in their work.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis hotlines can be reached at 1553, 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672.

You may also contact Hopeline PH at 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, or 8804-4673, or visit ngf-mindstrong.org and its Facebook page, Hopeline PH.