Actor James Ransone, known for his roles on ‘The Wire,’ ‘SEAL Team’ and ‘It: Chapter Two,’ has died at age 46, according to the LA medical examiner.
James Ransone, a character actor best known for his roles on The Wire and SEAL Team, has died at the age of 46, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed to Variety.
Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, from 1993 to 1997. He made his screen debut in the 2002 film Ken Park before landing his breakout role on The Wire the following year.
What was James Ransone’s Cause of Death?
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner told Variety that Ransone died by suicide on Friday, December 19. No additional details were released.
The Baltimore-born actor rose to prominence playing troubled dockworker Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka during season 2 of HBO’s critically acclaimed drama The Wire, appearing in 12 episodes of the series. Ziggy’s tragic arc, which culminates in a devastating act of violence and imprisonment, remains one of the show’s most haunting storylines.
Several years later, Ransone starred opposite Alexander Skarsgård in the HBO miniseries Generation Kill, portraying real-life Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes. The series followed a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Recon Marines during the early days of the Iraq War.
In 2019, Ransone appeared in It: Chapter Two as the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak, one of the Losers’ Club members haunted by the terror that once plagued their hometown of Derry, Maine. His film work also included V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, What We Found, The Black Phone, and its upcoming sequel Black Phone 2.
On television, Ransone continued to build a steady career with roles on Poker Face, 50 States of Fright, The First, Bosch and SEAL Team, where he appeared in multiple episodes.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.