James Ransone, Actor Known for The Wire and It Chapter Two, Dies at 46
James Ransone, the actor best known for his role as Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in the acclaimed television series The Wire, died in Los Angeles at the age of 46. The LA medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson from 1993 to 1997. His breakthrough role came in 2002 with the film Ken Park, which led to his joining The Wire cast in 2003.
Ransone also starred as Corporal Josh Ray Person in the television series Generation Kill and later played Eddie Kaspbrak in the film It Chapter Two. His performance in It Chapter Two received special tribute among a high-profile cast following his death.
In 2021, Ransone publicly revealed that he had been sexually abused by a former Maryland public-school tutor. He linked this trauma to his struggles with alcohol and heroin addiction. Authorities reportedly declined to pursue charges after a 2020 report was made.
His death prompted an outpouring of condolences on social media from fans and colleagues alike.
