‘The Wire’ Actor James Ransone Dead at 46 – Cause of Death Revealed

James Ransone, the actor known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka on the hit HBO series The Wire, has died at the age of 46.

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner, Ransone died by suicide by hanging. TMZ confirmed the news and reported that the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call at his residence, completing a death investigation with no foul play suspected.

Ransone began his acting career in the early 2000s with small roles on TV shows like Ed and Third Watch. He rose to prominence with his performance on The Wire, appearing in all 12 episodes of the second season as the troubled dock worker and gangster Ziggy Sobotka. His portrayal earned critical praise, with many fans considering him one of the most memorable characters on the show.

Beyond The Wire, Ransone appeared in popular series such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Hawaii Five-0, and Burn Notice. He also took roles in films including Tangerine, It: Chapter Two, and the horror movies The Black Phone and The Black Phone 2, the latter of which was released earlier this year.

Ransone faced personal struggles throughout his life. In May 2021, he revealed on Instagram that he had been s***** abused by his math tutor in 1992, and although he reported the allegations to police in 2020, no charges were pursued. By age 27, Ransone had developed a heroin addiction and accumulated $30,000 in debt, but he achieved sobriety in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their son.

James Ransone’s work left a lasting mark on television and film, and his performances will continue to be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.

This is a heartbreaking loss for the acting community and fans of The Wire. What are your memories of Ransone’s work? Share your thoughts in the comments.