Actor James Ransone, known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in the popular HBO series “The Wire,” has passed away at the age of 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that Ransone died by suicide on Friday.
Aside from his portrayal of Sobotka, a character involved in organized crime, on “The Wire,” Ransone also appeared in TV programs such as “Bosch,” “Poker Face,” and the miniseries “Generation Kill,” which focused on a journalist embedded with American troops in Baghdad in 2003.
Ransone’s work extended to horror films, including “It: Chapter Two,” “The Black Phone,” “Black Phone 2,” and installments in the “Sinister” series.
In a 2016 interview with Interview magazine, Ransone discussed his unconventional career path, dropping out of film school at 19 before finding success as an actor, particularly with his role in “Generation Kill.” He also opened up about overcoming addiction struggles before filming the miniseries.
Following his death, tributes poured in from Ransone’s loved ones, including his wife Jamie McPhee, who shared a heartfelt message on Instagram expressing her love and gratitude for their family. Colleagues, such as actor Wendell Pierce, also paid their respects on social media.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ransone’s wife and children in the wake of his passing. Requests for comments from Ransone’s representatives by the Associated Press have not been answered as of Sunday.
