James Ransone, known for his work on HBO’s The Wire, is dead at the age of 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death, bringing clarity to news that prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues.
James Ransone passes away
James Ransone has passed away, leaving a hole in the world of cinema and entertainment.
Ransone built a respected career playing complex, often vulnerable characters. He became popular as dock worker Chester Karol “Ziggy” Sobotka during Season 2 of The Wire. He appeared in 12 episodes and gave one of the show’s most unsettling character arcs. The role captured the frustration and desperation of a young man pushed to his breaking point, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and critics alike.
Beyond The Wire, Ransone remained a familiar face on HBO. He starred opposite Alexander Skarsgård in the miniseries Generation Kill, playing Marine Corporal Cpl. Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes. The series followed a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Recon Marines during the Iraq War and further showed Ransone’s range.
In 2019, he reached a new generation of audiences as Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, playing the older version of the anxious Derry native. His recent film work also included Black Phone 2, V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, and What We Found. On television, he appeared in series such as Poker Face, SEAL Team, 50 States of Fright, and The First.
LA County Medical Examiner confirms James Ransone’s cause of death
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office reported that James Ransone died by suicide. No further details were released publicly.
Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland. He landed his first screen role in the 2002 teen drama Ken Park before joining The Wire a year later, a breakthrough that shaped the rest of his career.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., you can call, text, or chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.net.
