Daijiworld Media Network - Baltimore

Baltimore, Dec 22: James Ransone, the American actor widely recognised for his role as Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, has died at the age of 46. The Guardian reported that the Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed his death on Friday and ruled it a suicide.

Ransone appeared in 12 episodes of The Wire, created by David Simon, where his portrayal of a troubled dock worker became one of the most talked-about arcs of the show’s second season. He later reunited with Simon in the HBO miniseries Generation Kill, playing US Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes.

The actor also featured in several films, including the 2019 horror hit It Chapter Two, in which he played the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. Actor François Arnaud wrote on Instagram, “RIP James Ransone. Unique actor that I was continuously impressed and inspired by.”

Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone studied at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Maryland. He began his acting career with the 2002 film Ken Park before gaining wider recognition through The Wire in 2003.

In 2021, Ransone publicly revealed that he had been sexually abused by a former tutor associated with Maryland public schools. According to reports cited by The Guardian, he said the trauma contributed to later struggles with alcohol and heroin addiction. Media reports said he had informed authorities about the abuse in 2020, but no criminal charges were filed.

In a 2016 interview, Ransone reflected on the emotional toll of his performances, saying that portraying flawed and unlikeable characters often left him feeling unsettled.

His death marks a significant loss to television and film, with fans and colleagues remembering him for his intense and deeply human performances.