James Ransone, ‘The Wire’ actor, dies at 46

article

FILE - Actor James Ransone discusses ""IT: Chapter 2" and "The First" with Build Brunch at Build Studio on October 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Expand

Actor James Ransone, best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in season 2 of "The Wire," has died, according to multiple reports.

He was 46 years old.

James Ransone’s death

What we know:

Ransone died of suicide, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records obtained by The New York Post. 

RELATED: Celebrity deaths of 2025: Who we've lost this year

According to The Post, Ransone’s wife Jamie McPhee posted a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on her social media profile around the time of his death. Ransone was a father of two children.

James Ransone’s life

The backstory:

Ransone got his big break with his role as a dockworker in "The Wire," HBO’s blockbuster drama that ran from 2002-2008. He appeared in 12 episodes in 2003 as the son of Frank Sobotka, played by Chris Bauer.

Ransone appeared in other HBO shows, including "Generation Kill" and "Treme." He also appeared in the series "Bosch" on Amazon Prime Video and in five episodes of "Seal Team." 

According to IMDb, his last TV appearance was in an episode of Peacock’s "Poker Face" in June.

His movie roles include "Prom Night," "Sinister," "Sinister 2," "Tangerine," "Mr. Right," "It Chaper Two," "The Black Phone" and "Black Phone 2."

In 2021, Ransone shared that he was sexually abused by a former tutor who worked for public school systems in Maryland, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Ransone said on Instagram that the abuse led to a "lifetime of shame and embarrassment," and was a factor in him becoming an alcoholic and heroin addict. He said he attempted suicide multiple times. He got sober in 2006 and reported the abuse to police in 2020, but they declined to pursue charges, according to Page Six.

"When this is one’s experience of the world as a child, they begin to see themselves as unlovable and irredeemable," Ransone wrote. "I saw myself as a worthless hunk of flesh not worth saving, or defending. I saw myself as broken, that what you did to me I somehow deserved. Mostly I felt ashamed as a boy that I would let another male do that to me, and that somehow this was my fault."

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line for free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide and CLICK HERE for more on the 988 Lifeline.