Born on June 2nd, 1979, James Ransone, or PJ to his close friends, was an actor most known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire and Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter 2. On December 19th, 2025, at the age of 46, Ransone committed suicide.
Ransone struggled with the lasting trauma of his childhood sexual abuse, which also led him to turn to drugs in his adulthood, and go down a 6-year path of heroin addiction, which he kicked at age 27.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Ransone attended schools in the area until he auditioned for the George Washington Carver Centre for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland; he then traveled there until he graduated and went on to briefly study film at the School of Visual Arts in New York in 1997. Unfortunately, he was expelled for non-attendance. After his short time at film school, he got a gig taking pictures with photographer Patrick McMullan for Interview magazine, though he left as soon as he began receiving acting roles.
For a short period of time, Ransone worked in art films before he received his first official casting. His first official role was as a bodysuit in The American Astronaut (2001). His big break came when he was cast as Ziggy Sobotka in season 2 of The Wire. His character was described by the BBC as “the clumsy and chaotic petty criminal.” Ransone was said to have brought “a contradictory mix of volatility and dopiness to the role of Ziggy,” by The Guardian. Following his role of Ziggy, Ransone was soon receiving an abundance of roles, with his most famous ones being Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two and as Max in The Black Phone.
Following the announcement of his passing, friends and family shared their thoughts and condolences. James’ co-star in The Black Phone, Madeleine McGraw, shared via the BBC, “I’m struggling to put into words the profound emptiness I’m feeling since learning of James Ransone’s passing. My heart is absolutely shattered.” James Ransone was an incredible actor and a wonderful husband and father who will never be forgotten.
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