James Ransone, the actor best known for his work on The Wire and It: Chapter Two, has died at the age of 46.
The Film Independent Spirit Award winner was found dead by hanging on Friday in Los Angeles, with the county medical examiner reporting the death as an apparent suicide. He died on December 19 according to Deadline.
James Ransone was an American actor known for his intense, offbeat performances across film and television. Born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the nearby George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology before later studying at Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts. Ransone built a career playing complex and often troubled characters, earning a reputation as a fearless character actor.
James Ransone known for playing adult Eddie in IT Chapter 2, as well roles in Sinister and The Black Phone movies and many more, has sadly passed away at the age of 46 by suicidepic.twitter.com/YFW6FjAydK
— Film Tweets (@FilmUpdates77) December 21, 2025
Early in his career, he appeared in films such as Ken Park (2002), A Dirty Shame (2004), and Inside Man (2006).
Ransone became especially well known for his work in horror, playing the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two. He also appeared as a deputy in Sinister and Sinister 2. Most recently, he reprised his role as Max from The Black Phone in Black Phone 2.
His other film credits included Prom Night, Starlet, Red Hook Summer, Oldboy, Cymbeline, Tangerine, Mr. Right, Gemini, and V/H/S/85.
On television, Ransone was best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in Season 2 of HBO’s The Wire. He also appeared in episodes of CSI, Law & Order, Burn Notice, Hawaii Five-0, Treme, Bosch, and Poker Face.
Beyond acting, Ransone was also a musician and a member of the rock band Ransone, reflecting his creative interests outside of film and television.
Per Deadline, Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their son.
