James Ransone dies suddenly aged 46
MUST KNOW
- Actor James Ransone has died at the age of 46
- According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, he died on Friday, December 19, in a apparent suicide
- James was known for his roles in The Wire and it: chapter two
Hollywood actor James Ransone has died at the age of 46.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the star died on December 19, with his death arranged a apparent suicide.
Who is James Ransone?
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 2, 1979, James Ransone was raised by parents Joyce and James Ransone II.
James is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. The actor kept his family life very private, rarely talking publicly about his marriage or father.
According to the The New York PostJames' wife Jamie added a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness to her social media profile.
When did James Ransone get into acting?
Talking about his childhood with the mirror, James explained: “I didn't fit in well with all the kids. Adolescence was a very difficult time for me, as I think it is for most children. It's so uncomfortable. With normal public schools, I used to have a very difficult time with them.”
“Then my mom found this school. She said, 'Hey, they're opening this art school. You can go. You have to audition.' I would be the first full graduating class so it would be really easy to get in. I was like, 'Yeah. I will do everything to get rid of these people.' I think it saved me as a child. Going to art school saved me,' he admitted.
His path to acting began early, and he quickly developed a reputation for embracing challenging material. His first big attention came in 2002 when he appeared in teen drama, Ken Park.
What are James Ransone's most iconic roles?
James' most iconic television role came with HBO's The Wire, where he portrayed Ziggy Sobotka—a volatile, tragic character whose story remains one of the series' most talked about arcs.
His television appearances included Law & Order, Hawaii Five-0 and, most recently, Poker Face.
In film, he reached new audiences as the mature Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two. He also appeared in The Black Phone and the upcoming sequel Black Phone 2, while independent cinema fans praised his work in Sean Baker's Tangerine.
In his interview with The Mirror, James opened up about the toll it takes to play such “uncomfortable characters”.
“I still struggle with the catharsis of acting. I don't play many likable characters, so I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin. Because of that, I don't always feel good. I get much more catharsis from taking pictures or painting or making short films,” he said.
What do fans say about his death?
Tributes have flooded in for James, with one fan taking to X to say: “Given the best adult performance in IT: Chapter 2. Among such a talented cast, he stood out as the best transition from child to adult performance. RIP to a true talent.”
“I was so stoked when I discovered that he had a main acting role in the new IT. Literally a match made in heaven. James was such a talented actor and the kind of guy who always gave the audience a character they would never forget. I adored Ziggy in The Wire and equally so, his character in Generation Kill. I hoped him in IT would be again the second deserv.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or emotional distress, support is available. In Australia you can call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Related
