NEED TO KNOW
- Actor James Ransone has died at the age of 46
- According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, he passed away on Friday, December 19
- His death has been ruled as an apparent suicide
- James was known for his roles in The Wire and It: Chapter Two
Hollywood actor James Ransone has died aged 46.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the star died on December 19, with his death ruled an apparent suicide.
Who is James Ransone?
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 2, 1979, James Ransone was raised by parents Joyce and James Ransone II.
James is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. The actor kept his family life very private, rarely speaking publicly about his marriage or fatherhood.
According to the The New York Post, James’ wife Jamie added a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness to her social media profile.
How did James Ransone die?
According to a Dec. 29 death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, James died by suicide.
When did James Ransone get into acting?
Speaking about his childhood with The Mirror, James explained: “I did not fit in well with all of the kids. Adolescence was a really hard time for me, as I think it is for most kids. It’s so uncomfortable. With normal public schools, I used to have a really hard time with them.”
“Then my mom found this school. She was like, ‘Hey, they’re opening this arts school. You can go. You have to audition.’ I would be the first fully graduating class so it would be really easy to get in. I was like, ‘Yes. I’ll do anything to get away from these people.’ I think it saved me as a kid. Going to arts school saved me,” he admitted.
His path into acting began early, and he quickly developed a reputation for embracing challenging material. His first major attention came in 2002 when he performed in teen drama, Ken Park.
What are James Ransone’s most iconic roles?
James’ most iconic television role came with HBO’s The Wire, where he portrayed Ziggy Sobotka- a volatile, tragic character whose storyline remains one of the series’ most talked-about arcs.
His television appearances included Law & Order, Hawaii Five-0 and, most recently, Poker Face.
In film, he reached new audiences as the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two. He also appeared in The Black Phone and its upcoming sequel Black Phone 2, while independent cinema fans praised his work in Sean Baker’s Tangerine.
In his interview with The Mirror, James opened up about the toll it takes playing such “unlikable characters.”
“I still wrestle with the catharsis of acting. I don’t end up playing a lot of likable characters, so I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin. As a result of that I don’t always feel good. I get a lot more catharsis from taking pictures or painting or making short films,” he said.
What are fans saying about his death?
Tributes have flooded in for James, with one fan taking to X to say: “Gave the best adult performance in IT: Chapter 2. Among such a talented cast, he stood out as the best transition from the kid performance to the adult one. RIP to a genuine talent.”
“I was so stoked when I discovered he had a main acting role in the new IT. Literal match made in heaven. James was such a talented actor and the kind of guy that always gave the audiences a character they’d never forget. I adored Ziggy in The Wire and equally so, his character in Generation Kill. I was hoping him in IT was going to be the career boost he so definitely deserved,” a second added.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or emotional distress, support is available. In Australia you can call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
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