Character actor James Ransone, celebrated for his unforgettable performances in HBO’s The Wire, the horror franchise Sinister, and It: Chapter Two, has died at the age of 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Ransone died by hanging on Friday, ruling his death a suicide. His passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, prompting an outpouring of condolences for his family and friends.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 2, 1979, Ransone attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson from 1993 to 1997. He made his film debut in Larry Clark’s 2002 teen drama Ken Park, portraying a troubled teenager—a role that set the tone for a career defined by intense and layered character work.

Ransone rose to prominence in 2003 with his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of David Simon’s critically acclaimed series The Wire. As the son of a dockworkers’ union leader, Ziggy’s arc combined comic relief with tragedy, ultimately leading to a harrowing downfall. Ransone’s nuanced performance earned him recognition as one of Hollywood’s most versatile character actors.

Beyond The Wire, Ransone worked with prominent filmmakers, including John Waters in A Dirty Shame and Spike Lee in Inside Man. He starred in HBO’s Iraq War miniseries Generation Kill (2008), portraying real-life Marine Cpl. Josh Ray Person over seven episodes, chronicling the experiences of a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Recon Marines.

Ransone also forged a strong collaboration with horror director Scott Derrickson, appearing in Sinister (2012) as a sheriff’s deputy, leading Sinister 2 (2015), and later starring in The Black Phone (2021) and its 2025 sequel, Black Phone 2. He headlined Derrickson’s Dreamkill segment in the anthology film V/H/S/85. His filmography further includes The Next Three Days, Tangerine, Oldboy, Red Hook Summer, and In a Valley of Violence. In 2019, he appeared as the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two.

On television, Ransone’s credits spanned Treme, Bosch, Low Winter Sun, Mosaic, Poker Face, Seal Team, 50 States of Fright, and The First.

In his personal life, Ransone overcame past struggles with addiction and was married with one child. His death marks a profound loss for fans and colleagues alike, who remember him for his dedication, intensity, and talent.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.