Hollywood and the global entertainment community are mourning the loss of James Ransone, the acclaimed actor known for memorable roles in The Wire, It: Chapter Two, The Black Phone and numerous television and film projects. Ransone died at age 46 on December 19, 2025, and his death has been officially ruled a suicide by hanging, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office.
🎭 A Versatile Career Across Film and Television
James Finley Ransone III was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, and began acting in the early 2000s. His breakout performance came as Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka on The Wire — the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama — where he appeared in all 12 episodes of Season 2.
Over more than two decades, Ransone built a reputation as a versatile character actor, earning roles in both television and film, including:
- Generation Kill (HBO mini-series)
- Treme (HBO drama)
- Bosch (Amazon Prime procedural)
- Poker Face (recent television appearance)
- Horror films such as It: Chapter Two, The Black Phone, and its 2025 sequel Black Phone 2
- Indie films like Tangerine and genre projects such as Sinister and Sinister 2
His ability to move between gritty drama and genre cinema won him admiration from both critics and fans worldwide.
(Source: People.com and Wikipedia)
🧠 Behind the Roles — Personal Struggles and Advocacy
Beyond his performances, Ransone was also known for his candor about personal struggles. He spoke publicly about his battle with addiction — becoming sober in 2006 after years of drug and alcohol abuse — and, in 2021, he courageously shared that he was a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, a trauma he said had lasting impact on his life.
These revelations resonated with many fans and advocates, opening up wider conversations about trauma, recovery, and the unseen burdens many performers carry.
(Source: Indiatimes)
🕊️ Circumstances of His Death
According to official records, Ransone died by suicide at his Los Angeles residence on Friday, December 19, 2025. His passing was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, which listed suicide by hanging as the cause of death.
He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children, and tributes have poured in from fans, colleagues, and industry figures around the world. In the wake of his death, McPhee shared information about a fundraiser benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), highlighting ongoing efforts to support mental health awareness.
(Source: Castanet)
🌟 Tributes from Hollywood and Fans
Industry peers and collaborators have expressed profound sadness at his passing. Directors and co-stars, including The Wire alumni and horror genre colleagues, have taken to social media to honor his talent and humanity. Many recalled his warmth on set, his dedication to craft, and the impact he had on others both professionally and personally. (Source: primetimer.com)
Fans around the world took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to share memories of Ransone’s iconic performances — from Ziggy Sobotka’s complex emotional arc to Eddie Kaspbrak’s haunting presence in It: Chapter Two. (Source: Castanet)
📌 Legacy and Impact
James Ransone leaves behind a body of work that spans gritty television dramas, genre-defining horror films, and independent cinema — roles that showcased his depth, intensity, and emotional range. His honesty about his personal challenges also helped advance public awareness around issues of trauma, addiction, and mental health.
His death has sparked renewed conversations about the pressures faced by actors behind the scenes and the importance of mental health support within the entertainment industry.
