James Ransone, known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire and a range of other HBO projects, has tragically passed away at the age of 46. The actor died by suicide in Los Angeles on Friday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Ransone was a married father of two, and his wife, Jamie McPhee, has since shared a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on social media in his memory. The cause of death was listed as “hanging,” and his body was found in a shed.
Ransone’s breakthrough role came in The Wire, where he portrayed Ziggy Sobotka, the troubled son of Frank Sobotka (played by Chris Bauer). He appeared in the second season of the critically acclaimed HBO series, which aired from 2002 to 2008.
In addition to his work on The Wire, Ransone also appeared in Generation Kill, Treme, and Bosch. His final TV appearance was in an episode of Poker Face in June 2023. On the big screen, Ransone starred in films like Sinister (2012), It Chapter Two (2019), and The Black Phone (2021).
Ransone was also an outspoken advocate for mental health. In 2021, he publicly shared his experience as a sexual abuse survivor, accusing his former tutor of abusing him as a child. He revealed that the trauma led to years of struggles with alcoholism and heroin addiction, but he got sober in 2006. Despite confronting his past, he faced further challenges, including a police investigation in 2020, but no charges were filed.
Ransone’s death has left many fans and colleagues heartbroken. He was a talented actor whose work on both the small and big screen made a lasting impact. His legacy will be remembered, and his struggles shed light on the importance of mental health awareness.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s important to reach out for help. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org for support.