Actor James Ransone, 46, died Friday from an apparent suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Life and Career
Ransone was best known for his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka in the critically acclaimed series The Wire and for playing Eddie Kaspbrak in the horror film It: Chapter Two. He also appeared in Generation Kill and Bosch, and his final television role was a Season 2 episode of Poker Face that aired in June, as reported by TMDB. His film work included roles in the Sinister horror franchise, Tangerine, Mr. Right, and the Black Phone series. Throughout his career, Ransone took on a variety of characters across television and film, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Early Struggles and Education
In a 2016 conversation with Interview Magazine, Ransone opened up about the social challenges he faced growing up. “I did not fit in well with all of the kids,” he said. “Adolescence was a really hard time for me-as I think it is for most kids.” He described difficulty with normal public schools, leading his mother to find an arts school where he could audition. “I think it saved me as a kid,” Ransone said. “Going to arts school saved me.” Ransone later attended film school in New York, but he admitted that he failed because he “didn’t show up to class.” He spent a couple of years “kicking around,” pursuing smaller acting opportunities while also playing a lot of music, and at one point considered a career as a musician. After a few years, Ransone realized that acting was his calling. “I woke up at 27 after being on heroin for five years,” Ransone said. “It was like I sobered up and I realized, ‘My job is being an actor. This is crazy!'” He sobered up six or seven months before working on Generation Kill, an acting job that became a transformative experience for him. Ransone said that his father was a Vietnam war veteran, and that being around marines who had fought in war while they were young allowed him to see a “version of [his] dad as a young man.” He added, “A lot of things started to make sense to me in a different way. It didn’t do so much for my career but it shaped me and the way that I think about my life.” Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. They were his immediate family. NBC News reached out to Ransone’s representatives but did not immediately hear back. The representatives were unresponsive at the time of the report. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
Key Takeaways
- James Ransone died at 46 from an apparent suicide.
- He was known for roles in The Wire, It: Chapter Two, Generation Kill, and Poker Face.
- He spoke openly about his early struggles, education, and sobriety in interviews.
Closing
Ransone’s death marks a significant loss for the entertainment community, and his legacy continues through the characters he brought to life and the candid reflections he shared about his journey.
