The actor James Ransone, best known to British audiences for his unforgettable portrayal of the tragic, inept criminal Ziggy Sobotka in the revered drama The Wire, has died at the age of 46.
From Baltimore's Docks to Modern Horror
Ransone, a Baltimore native, shot to prominence in the second season of David Simon's seminal crime series. At just 22, he brought a raw, jangling vulnerability to the role of Ziggy, the 'loose-cannon son of a stevedore' whose series of doomed criminal schemes culminate in murder and his own downfall. The season aired in 2003, but the show's slow-burn success meant recognition came years later, something Ransone described as 'weird'.
He became a stalwart of modern horror cinema, most notably playing the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in the blockbuster It Chapter Two (2019), which grossed over $450 million worldwide. His filmography in the genre was extensive, including roles in Sinister, The Black Phone, and its forthcoming sequel, often portraying figures on the edge of law and order.
A Favourite of Auteurs and Independent Visionaries
Beyond genre work, Ransone was highly prized by innovative directors. He collaborated multiple times with Spike Lee (Inside Man, Oldboy) and appeared in Sean Baker's groundbreaking iPhone-shot film Tangerine (2015) as a roguish pimp. He also worked with Steven Soderbergh on Mosaic and, most recently, Rian Johnson on Poker Face.
David Simon, who cast him in The Wire, Generation Kill, and Treme, praised his unique talent: 'James is made for an absurdist, comedic rant in whatever universe we place him. But then, he can turn on a dime and break your heart.'
A Life Marked by Artistic Fearlessness and Personal Struggle
Ransone's career began provocatively with a role in Larry Clark's controversial 2002 film Ken Park. He later stated, 'Fear is the cancer to creativity,' an ethos that defined his choices but also took a personal toll. He spoke openly about the challenge of inhabiting 'unlikeable skin' and the resultant impact on his wellbeing.
In 2021, he posted a detailed account of alleged childhood sexual abuse by a former teacher, which he said led to heroin addiction. He had been clean since rehab in 2006, revealing he had contemplated suicide at that time, saying: 'Drugs couldn't silence the noise in my head anymore.'
Born James Finley Ransone III on 2 June 1979 in Baltimore, he was known to friends as PJ. He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. His final screen appearances are in Black Phone 2 and an episode of Poker Face, released in 2025.
