‘The Wire’ Actor James Ransone Dies At Age 46

Actor James Ransone, who played Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in the acclaimed crime drama series “The Wire,” has died at the age of 46.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office said in online records that Ransone, who was married with two children, died by suicide. His widow, Jamie McPhee, posted a tribute on Instagram.

“I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again,” McPhee shared on the social platform. “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.”

Besides his role in “The Wire,” Ransone was known for playing Eddie Kaspbrak in “It: Chapter Two.” He also appeared in films such as “The Black Phone” and “Black Phone 2,” and TV shows including the police drama “Bosch,” “Poker Face,” and the HBO miniseries “Generation Kill” opposite Alexander Skarsgård.

Ransone was born in Baltimore in 1979, per Variety, and attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Maryland. He broke into acting with a part in the teen drama “Ken Park” (2002). He scored his career-making role on “The Wire” one year later.

Ransone revealed in a 2021 social media post that he was sexually abused as a child by his tutor in the 1990s when he was 12. The actor said in his Instagram post that he had suffered a “lifetime of shame and embarrassment” and became addicted to drugs after. He spoke openly about his recovery and staying sober after 27 years of heroin use. 

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.