The widow of acclaimed actor James Ransone has broken her silence with a devastating social media tribute, days after the star of HBO's The Wire died by suicide in Los Angeles. Jamie McPhee shared her grief publicly for the first time on Sunday in a poignant Instagram post.
A Devastating Loss and a Public Tribute
Jamie McPhee, who shares two young children with the late actor, posted a sweet photograph cradling her baby bump alongside a caption directed to her husband. The actor, best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka, died on Friday at the age of 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the manner of death as suicide.
In her emotional message, Jamie wrote: 'I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again... You told me...'I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me - and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.' The couple's son, Jack, is six years old, and their daughter, Violet, is four.
A Prolific Career and Personal Struggles
James Ransone's career was defined by his role as the troubled Baltimore dock worker Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of the seminal HBO drama The Wire in 2003. The series, which aired from 2002 to 2008 and featured stars like Idris Elba and Dominic West, is considered one of television's greatest achievements.
He remained a fixture within the HBO universe, appearing in Generation Kill and Treme, and later featured in Amazon's Bosch. His final television appearance was in an episode of Poker Face that aired in June of this year.
His film work spanned horror and independent drama, with notable roles in the Sinister franchise, It Chapter Two, and The Black Phone. He was set to appear in the sequel, Black Phone 2, scheduled for release in 2025.
In recent years, Ransone had been candid about his personal battles. In 2021, he revealed he was a survivor of sexual abuse. He also spoke openly about addiction and recovery, telling Interview Magazine in 2016 that he had gotten sober from heroin at age 27.
Legacy and Mental Health Advocacy
In the wake of the tragedy, Jamie McPhee has added a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to her social media profile, directing support towards mental health resources. The medical examiner's office noted on Sunday that his body was ready for release to the family.
Ransone's death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans who admired his versatile and often gritty performances. His passing underscores the profound and often hidden struggles with mental health, even among those in the public eye.
