James Ransone, Star of 'The Wire' and 'It Chapter Two,' Dies at 46

James Ransone, the prolific character actor known for his unforgettable and often haunting performances in series like 'The Wire' and horror films such as 'Sinister' and 'The Black Phone,' has died. He was 46.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, Ransone died on Friday, and his death has been ruled a suicide. The Los Angeles Police Department declined to comment when reached by Entertainment Weekly, citing its policy on such cases.

Born in Baltimore on June 2, 1979, Ransone first gained attention in Larry Clark's controversial 2002 drama 'Ken Park.' A year later, he landed the role that would define his screen presence: the impulsive and imprudent dock worker Chester "Ziggy" Sobotka in Season 2 of HBO's 'The Wire.' His brash, shocking actions created one of the most nail-biting arcs in the acclaimed series and began a long-running collaboration with creator David Simon.

Ransone humorously recalled his first impression of the character in 2015, saying he remembered the dialogue was incredibly dense. "I was like, 'I have no f---ing idea what's going on with this, but I know I can do a Baltimore accent.'"

After 'The Wire,' Ransone became a sought-after actor for some of America's most acclaimed directors, working with John Waters ('A Dirty Shame'), Spike Lee ('Inside Man,' 'Oldboy'), and Sean Baker ('Starlet,' 'Tangerine'). He also held significant roles in other series, including Simon's New Orleans-set drama 'Treme' and as the crooked cop Eddie Arceneaux in 'Bosch.'

His work on Simon's 'Generation Kill,' a gritty look at the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, held a deep personal connection for him. He told Interview Magazine in 2016:

"Being around these Marines who had fought in war... I got to see some version of my dad as a young man. A lot of things started to make sense to me in a different way. It made me make sense of my upbringing, my own family. My dad was a Green Beret and he got shot in Vietnam."

Over the last decade, Ransone carved out a niche in the horror genre, appearing in 'Prom Night,' 'Sinister,' and earning a recent resurgence with celebrated roles in modern classics like 'It Chapter Two' and 'The Black Phone.'

PRISM Insight: James Ransone’s career embodies the vital role of the modern character actor—an artist who elevates genre conventions and prestige dramas alike. His specialty in portraying volatile, high-wire characters highlights a key trend: audiences crave the unpredictable energy that only a dedicated scene-stealer, unburdened by a leading-man image, can deliver.