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James Ransone, the actor widely recognized for portraying troubled dock worker Chester "Ziggy" Sobotka on HBO's The Wire, has died. He was 46.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Ransone died on Friday, with the cause of death ruled as suicide. News of his passing has prompted tributes from fans and fellow actors who remembered him as a distinctive performer capable of bringing depth to deeply flawed characters.
Ransone appeared in 12 episodes of The Wire's second season, which focused on Baltimore's struggling port community. His portrayal of Ziggy, a volatile and insecure longshoreman desperate for respect, became one of the season's most tragic arcs. The character's downward spiral culminated in a shocking act of violence, after which Ziggy surrendered to police and was later shown serving a prison sentence in the season finale.
Five years later, Ransone reunited with The Wire creator David Simon on the HBO miniseries Generation Kill. He starred in all seven episodes as real-life Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person, delivering a performance that balanced dark humor with the psychological strain of combat.
In 2019, Ransone reached a broader audience playing the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, joining a cast that included Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy. His recent film work also included roles in V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, What We Found and the upcoming Black Phone 2.
Ransone was born in Baltimore in 1979 and attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland. He began acting professionally in the early 2000s, earning early attention for his role in the 2002 film Ken Park before landing The Wire the following year.
In later years, Ransone spoke publicly about personal struggles, including addiction and past abuse, and reflected on the emotional toll of portraying damaged characters. He once described acting as cathartic but difficult, noting that inhabiting unlikable roles often left a lasting impact.
He is remembered for performances that were raw, unsettling and deeply human.
