James Ransone, an actor widely recognized for his performances as Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire and Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, has died at the age of 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that his death occurred on Friday and was ruled a suicide.
Ransone portrayed Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka during the second season of HBO’s The Wire, appearing in 12 episodes. His character followed a tragic trajectory—from an impulsive, frequently ridiculed dockworker to a small-time criminal pushed beyond his limits. After enduring repeated humiliation, Ziggy ultimately commits a violent act, then waits at the scene and admits responsibility when police arrive. His storyline concludes in the Season 2 finale, where he is shown beginning his prison sentence.
Several years later, Ransone took on a major television role in HBO’s war miniseries Generation Kill, starring opposite Alexander Skarsgård. Across all seven episodes, he portrayed real-life Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person in the series, which chronicled the experiences of the 1st Recon Marines through the eyes of an embedded journalist.
In 2019, Ransone appeared in It: Chapter Two as the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak, a nervous limousine driver originally from the town of Derry. His later film work also included roles in The Black Phone 2, V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, and What We Found.
On television, his more recent credits spanned a range of genres, with appearances in series such as Poker Face, SEAL Team, 50 States of Fright, and The First.
Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, from 1993 to 1997. He made his early mark in the 2002 independent drama Ken Park, which helped launch his career. The following year, he secured the role that would bring him widespread recognition on The Wire.
Ransone leaves behind a body of work defined by emotionally raw performances and complex, often troubled characters that resonated strongly with audiences.
