Who is James Ransone? The Wire actor who died by suicide, a look at his life, career, and fame

James Ransone

James Ransone, who died on December 19 by alleged suicide, was a known American actor whose performances won him a loyal fanbase and respect across the entertainment world.

James was born and brought up in Baltimore, Maryland, and he trained in the field of arts from a very young age. He attended the George Washington Carver Centre for Arts and Technology and later went to the School of Visual Arts in New York City before entering into a filmy career that spanned over two decades.

James Ransone first came into limelight with his breakout role as Chester 'Ziggy' Sobotka in the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama The Wire.

He appeared in the second season of the series as Ziggy, who was shown as a complicated, impulsive dock worker whose chaotic choices made him one of the show’s most memorable characters. This role earned him a lot of appreciation and many saw him as a fearless actor unafraid to explore troubled and layered figures.

Post the success of The Wire, James then went on to work in critically acclaimed film and TV roles.

James then played the role of Corporal Josh Ray Person in the HBO war miniseries Generation Kill (2008).

He gradually shifted focus to the big screen and there he became known for his work in horror and genre films, including roles in Sinister (2012) and its sequel Sinister 2 (2015), the critically acclaimed indie Tangerine (2015), and as the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in the box office hit It: Chapter Two (2019).

James was seen in The Black Phone (2021), followed by its sequel Black Phone 2 (2025). James was loved for his versatility and his ability to mix the most flawed characters with humanity.

His wide range of work, from gritty dramas to mainstream horror, showed that he was fearless about telling stories. This earned him a lot recognition and much love from fans all across the world.

James Ransone died by suicide at the age of 46 in Los Angeles and The LA County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as suicide by hanging.

James Ransone’s shocking death led to an outpouring of grief from colleagues, fans, and fellow actors.

His death has also reignited conversations about mental health in the entertainment industry and that people struggling with mental health issues need help and counselling.