James Ransone, the actor best known for portraying Ziggy Sobotka on HBO’s “The Wire,” has died at age 46.
According to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records, Ransone died by suicide Friday in Los Angeles. His body was found in a shed on the property, with the cause of death listed as hanging. Records indicate his remains are ready for release.
Ransone, a married father of two, was remembered by his wife, Jamie McPhee, who shared a fundraiser benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on her social media profile.
He appeared in 12 episodes of “The Wire” during its second season in 2003, portraying the troubled son of dock union leader Frank Sobotka. The critically acclaimed series aired from 2002 to 2008 and starred Dominic West, Michael Kenneth Williams, Idris Elba, and others.
Ransone also held roles in several other HBO productions, including “Generation Kill” and “Treme,” and appeared in Amazon’s “Bosch.” His final television appearance was in a Season 2 episode of “Poker Face” that aired in June.
His film credits included “Sinister,” “Sinister 2,” “Tangerine,” “It Chapter Two,” “The Black Phone,” and the upcoming “Black Phone 2.”
In 2021, Ransone publicly disclosed that he had survived childhood sexual abuse, alleging abuse by a former tutor in the early 1990s. He said this experience contributed to years of addiction before he became sober in 2006. Authorities later declined to pursue charges following an investigation.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.
