James Ransone built a steady career playing complicated, often troubled characters in film and television. He first broke out on The Wire and later reached a wider audience with roles in It: Chapter Two, The Black Phone, and Sinister. After his death in December 2025 at age 46, many fans have been revisiting his work and learning more about his life off screen.
Find out more about him below.
Ransone rose to prominence with his role as Ziggy Sobotka on HBO’s The Wire. His performance as the troubled, emotionally volatile dockworker stood out on the critically acclaimed series and helped establish him as a compelling character actor. The role remains one of the most memorable of his career and introduced him to a wider audience.
Reflecting on the audition process in a 2015 interview, Ransone recalled leaning into his roots. “I was living in New York, but I’m from Baltimore. I grew up in Towson, in the suburbs,” he said. “When they auditioned me — it was one of the first scenes in the bar, where Ziggy takes his d*ck out — and the dialogue was so f***ing dense. I was like, ‘I have no f***ing idea what’s going on with this, but I know I can do a Baltimore accent.’”
Ransone portrayed the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, appearing alongside James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Jessica Chastain.
Beyond It and The Wire, Ransone appeared in several notable horror and thriller films, including The Black Phone and Sinister. He also had roles in Generation Kill, Tangerine, and other film and television projects, often choosing gritty, character-driven stories that highlighted his range as an actor.
Ransone was married to Jamie McPhee, and the couple shared two young children together. He kept his personal life largely private, rarely speaking publicly about his family. After his death, McPhee shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram honoring him as a devoted husband and father.
