Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and drug addiction which some readers may find distressing.
Star of The Wire, James Ransone, has died at the age of 46.
Found by police at his home, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office records indicate the actor took his own life on Friday (19 December).
Ransone was perhaps best known for playing the hot-headed dock worker turned petty criminal, Chester ‘Ziggy’ Sobotka, in season two of HBO’s Baltimore crime drama back in 2003.
Others may also know Ransone for his film performance more recently as adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two, alongside the likes of Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy.
The actor and dad of two had been open in the past about his struggles with mental health and having a drug addiction in the past.
Following his breakout role in The Wire, Ransone appeared in the miniseries Generation Kill as real-life Marine Cpl Josh Ray Person alongside Alexander Skarsgård – another project from HBO show’s creator, David Simon.
Ransone explained in a 2016 conversation with Interview Magazine that he had previously battled with a heroin addiction and overcome it before filming the Marines drama.
“I woke up at 27 after being on heroin for five years,” he said. “It was like I sobered up and I realized, ‘My job is being an actor. This is crazy!’”
He also went on to explain how he would ‘wrestle with the catharsis of acting’.
A number of Ransone’s roles meant he had to humanise characters who were not particularly likeable people.
“So I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin,” he said. “As a result of that, I don’t always feel good.”
In 2021, Ransone shared that he was sexually abused as a child by a former tutor. He spoke about the allegations on social media after reporting them in 2020 when an investigation was conducted, and authorities declined to pursue criminal charges.
The actor wrote that the abuse was a factor in the alcohol and heroin addictions he battled.
Simon paid tribute to Ransone on Sunday (21 December) as news of his death broke, sharing a picture of The Wire star on Bluesky.
Heated Rivalry's Francois Arnaud also wrote on Instagram: "RIP James Ransone. Unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.”
Other credits of Ransone’s include The Black Phone, Sinister, SEAL Team, Prom Night, Sinister 2, and Black Phone 2.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Featured Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/FilmMagicTopics: Mental Health, HBO, Celebrity
Jess Battison