James Ransone

"Ransone" redirects here. For the American politician, see Margaret Ransone.
Not to be confused with James Ransome.

James Ransone
Ransone as Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire
Born
James Finley Ransone III

(1979-06-02)June 2, 1979
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedDecember 19, 2025(2025-12-19) (aged 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging
OccupationActor
Years active2001–2025
Children2

James Finley Ransone III (June 2, 1979 – December 19, 2025) was an American actor. He was best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of the drama series The Wire, Cpl. Josh Ray Person in the war drama miniseries Generation Kill (2008), the Deputy in the supernatural horror films Sinister (2012) and Sinister 2 (2015), Chester in Tangerine (2015), adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two (2019), and Max in The Black Phone (2021).

Ransone died in 2025 at the age of 46 in Los Angeles, California. His death was determined to be a suicide by hanging.

Early life and education

James Finley Ransone III[1] was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland,[2] the son of Joyce (née Peterson) and James Finley Ransone II, a Vietnam War veteran.[3] He was educated at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan for one year.[3]

Career

In 2002, Ransone co-starred in the Larry Clark drama film Ken Park as Tate.[4] In 2003, he apperared in 12 episodes of The Wire, as Ziggy Sobotka. He had a supporting role in Spike Lee's 2006 heist movie Inside Man as bank robber, Steve-O. He starred in the 2008 miniseries Generation Kill as Cpl. Josh Ray Person. In 2010, he was cast in a recurring role in the HBO comedy series How to Make It in America, and the following year, appeared in a recurring role in the HBO drama series Treme.[5] In 2012, he starred in the drama film Starlet.[6] The following year, he starred in the AMC drama series Low Winter Sun as Damon Callis.[7]

Ransone then appeared in the 2012 horror film Sinister in the supporting role of Deputy So-and-So. In June 2014, he joined the cast of the Western film In a Valley of Violence.[8] Also in 2014, he starred in Small Engine Repair off-Broadway. In 2015, he had a supporting role in the comedy-drama film Tangerine.[9] Following the success of Sinister, Ransone reprised his role in the 2015 sequel Sinister 2, this time as the film's main character.[10] In 2016, he appeared in Season 2 of the drama series Bosch as Eddie Arceneaux.

In 2019, Ransone portrayed the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in the horror film It Chapter Two, sharing the role with Jack Dylan Grazer, who played the younger version.[11]

Personal life and death

By the age of 27, Ransone had developed a heroin addiction and a debt of $30,000, but became sober shortly after.[12]

In May 2021, Ransone wrote on his Instagram account that he was sexually abused by his math tutor in 1992.[13] He reported his allegations to the Baltimore County police in March 2020, but they declined to pursue the charges after an investigation. The Baltimore County School System was informed of the allegations, according to police; school officials acknowledged having been notified of a "concern" but declined to specify what actions had been taken.[14]

Ransone was married and had two children.[15] He died by suicide by hanging[16] in Los Angeles, California, on December 19, 2025, at the age of 46.[17][18]

Filmography

Film

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
The American Astronaut 2001 Bodysuit [19]
Ken Park 2002 Tate [20]
Fan Mail 2003 Ricky Short film
Nola Neo-Gothboy [19]
A Dirty Shame 2004 Dave "Dingy Dave" [20]
Downtown: A Street Tale Billy [21]
Malachance Mika
The Good Humor Man 2005 "Junebug" [21]
Granted! Larry Short film
Inside Man 2006 Darius Peltz / Steve-O [20]
Directions: The Plans Video Album Segment: "What Sarah Said"
Puccini for Beginners Lone Guy at Bistro [21]
Prom Night 2008 Detective Nash [20]
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll 2009 Chip Genson [21]
The Next Three Days 2010 Harvey "Harv"
The Lie 2011 "Weasel" [21]
The Son of No One Thomas Prudenti [21]
Sinister 2012 Deputy So-and-So [20]
Starlet Mikey Robert Altman Award for Best Ensemble Cast [20]
Red Hook Summer Kevin [20]
Broken City 2013 Todd Lancaster [21]
Empire State Agent Nugent [19]
The Man Who Came Out Only at Night Short film
Oldboy Dr. Tom Melby [20]
Year of the Rat Guy Short film
Electric Slide 2014 Jan Phillips [21]
False True Love Video short
This American Life: One Night Only at BAM David Video
Fruits De Mer George Short film
Cymbeline Philario [20]
Kristy Scott [21]
Tangerine 2015 Chester [22]
The Timber Wyatt [21]
Bloomin Mud Shuffle Lonnie [21]
Sinister 2 Ex-Deputy So-and-So [19]
Mr. Right Von Cartigan [22]
Conventional Stu Mac 3 Short film
In a Valley of Violence 2016 Deputy Gilly Martin [21]
Light Up the Night Joe Short film
It Happened in L.A. 2017 Heath [19]
Gemini Stan [20]
The Clapper Darth Guy
Cabiria, Charity, Chastity Anthony, The Strongman Video short [21]
Family Blood 2018 Christopher [21]
Write When You Get Work Steven Noble [23]
Doulo Edwin Short film [24]
Tough Love Man [24]
Captive State 2019 Patrick Ellison [21]
It Chapter Two Eddie Kaspbrak Shared role with Jack Dylan Grazer [22]
What We Found 2020 Steve Mohler [25]
Small Engine Repair 2021 P.J. [26]
The Black Phone Max [22]
V/H/S/85 2023 Bobby Segment: "Dreamkill" [20]
Black Phone 2 2025 Max Cameo appearance [22]

Television

Title Year Role Notes
Law & Order 2001 Mark Dale/Michael Wayland 2 episodes[19]
Third Watch 2002 Frankie[21]
Ed Gary Morton Episode: "Power of the Person"[21]
The Wire 2003 Ziggy Sobotka 12 episodes[22]
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 2005 Zack Capola Episode: "Iced"[20]
Love Monkey 2006 Glenn Episode: "The Window"
Jericho 2007 Daryl Episode: "A.K.A."
Generation Kill 2008 Corporal Josh Ray Person Miniseries; 7 episodes[22]
How to Make It in America 2010 Tim 7 episodes[19]
Burn Notice Dennis Wayne Barfield Episode: "Eyes Open"[20]
Hawaii Five-0 2011 Johnny D. / Perry Hutchinson Episode: "Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio"[20]
Treme Nick 10 episodes[22]
Low Winter Sun 2013 Damon Callis Main cast[19]
Bosch 2016 Eddie Arceneaux 8 episodes[22]
Mosaic 2018 Michael O'Connor 6 episodes[19]
The First Nick Fletcher Main cast[19]
Deadwax Scotty Episode: "Part One"[19]
50 States of Fright 2020 Sebastian Klepner 2 episodes[26]
SEAL Team Reiss Julian 5 episodes[19]
Poker Face 2025 Juice Episode: "One Last Job"[22]

Theater

Year Title Role Venue Company Notes
2013 Small Engine Repair Packie Lucille Lortel Theatre MCC Theater [27]

References

  1. ^ Alvarez, Rafael; Simon, David (2009). The Wire: Truth Be Told. Canongate Books. ISBN 978-1-84767-598-9.
  2. ^ Sapienza, Ethan (October 19, 2016). "Baltimore's Son". Interview.
  3. ^ a b Barshad, Amos (July 14, 2015). "From Ziggy to Stardust: How James Ransone Shed His Iconic 'Wire' Character and Broke Out". Grantland.
  4. ^ McCarthy, Todd (September 5, 2002). "Review: 'Ken Park'". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 17, 2010). "Ransone answers 'Treme's' siren call". Variety.
  6. ^ DeFore, John (March 17, 2012). "Starlet: SXSW Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  7. ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 14, 2012). "Pilot Scoop: Jericho's Lennie James Joins AMC Drama Pilot Low Winter Sun". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  8. ^ Yamato, Jen (June 3, 2014). "James Ransone Joins Blumhouse Western 'In A Valley Of Violence'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Yamato, Jen (June 19, 2014). "'Starlet's Sean Baker Sets 'Tangerine' With The Duplass Brothers Exec Producing". Deadline Hollywood.
  10. ^ Yamato, Jen (August 13, 2014). "'Sinister 2' Sets Shannyn Sossamon & James Ransone As Leads". Deadline Hollywood.
  11. ^ Phillipp, Charlotte (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone, Actor Known for 'The Wire,' Dead by Suicide at 46". People. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  12. ^ Sapienza, Ethan (October 19, 2016). "Baltimore's Son". Interview Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  13. ^ Ransone, James [@jamesransone]; (May 17, 2021). "as long as we are airing out dirty laundry (sorry I have to do this here)..." Retrieved August 28, 2021 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ DeVille, Taylor (May 27, 2021). "'The Wire' actor says a Baltimore County educator sexually abused him 29 years ago, and faults the school system's response to his allegations". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  15. ^ Holaday, Carsen (December 21, 2025). "Actor who starred in hit TV series and horror films dead at age 46". The Independent. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  16. ^ Adeosun, Adeola (December 21, 2025). "'The Wire' Actor James Ransone Dies by Suicide at 46: What We Know". Newsweek. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Vargas, Ramon Antonio (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone, US actor known for The Wire, dies aged 46". The Guardian. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  18. ^ Adeosun, Adeola (December 21, 2025). "'The Wire' Actor James Ransone Dies by Suicide at 46: What We Know". Newsweek. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Thomas, Carly (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone, 'The Wire' and 'It: Chapter Two' Actor, Dies at 46". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Garner, Glenn (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone Dies: 'IT Chapter Two' & 'The Wire' Actor Was 46". Deadline. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "James Ransone: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Todisco, Eric (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone, 'The Wire' actor, dead by suicide at 46". New York Post. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  23. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 8, 2018). "'Write When You Get Work' Clip: Emily Mortimer Cries Frantic Tears In Stacy Cochran SXSW Drama". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Seigh, Steve (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone: IT: Chapter Two & The Black Phone actor dies at 46". JoBlo. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  25. ^ Valentin, Mel (August 4, 2020). "Review: WHAT WE FOUND Gets Lost in Cliches and Predictability". ScreenAnarchy. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  26. ^ a b Dunn, Jack (December 21, 2025). "James Ransone, Who Played Ziggy Sobotka on 'The Wire,' Dies at 46". Variety. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  27. ^ Lang, Brent (December 21, 2025). "'Small Engine Repair' Star on the Dark Side of Social Media: 'It's Just Hate Everywhere'". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved December 21, 2025.

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