A Hero's Final Story: How Late Actor James Ransone Saved a Woman He Barely Knew

He saved her life. She never got to thank him. Following the tragic death of actor James Ransone, known for his roles in 'It Chapter Two' and 'The Wire', a former neighbor has come forward with a powerful story of his quiet heroism. Molly Watts revealed in a heartfelt Instagram post on December 23 how Ransone, who died by suicide at 46 last Friday, once saved her from a sexual assault. "I'm not sure if I would have the same life if he hadn't run down that night," she wrote.

Screams in the Hallway

According to her post, reported by Entertainment Weekly, the incident occurred years ago when Watts and Ransone were neighbors in New York's Chinatown. Watts recalled being attacked at the entrance of their building. "I screamed for help. No one came," she wrote. "My attacker put his hands around my throat so I would stop making noise. I couldn't breathe. I remember the certainty that I was going to die or be raped as I was choked unconscious."

It was Ransone who heard her. "He came running shirtless, carrying a bat or pipe," Watts explained. The sudden intervention scared off her attacker, who fled. Ransone didn't stop there; he chased the man to the building he ran into. This act proved crucial. "Because of the chase, the police were able to identify him, a repeat sexual offender," Watts stated. "PJ saved me." (PJ was a nickname Ransone went by.)

A Wounded Healer

The story is made all the more poignant by the fact that Ransone had previously alleged he was a victim of sexual assault as a child. Watts reflected on this painful irony: "What's especially hard for me with PJ's passing is that he lived with that kind of violence. What I was spared, he endured." She expressed deep regret for never reaching out to him over the years to reiterate her gratitude.

The story has resonated deeply online, spreading rapidly as people grapple with the actor's passing. Ransone's wife, Jamie McPhee, has also shared a tribute, and a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support his wife and two children. The tale serves as a powerful reminder of the private battles people can face, even as they perform acts of public courage.