Woman Shares How Late Actor James Ransone Once Saved Her From Sexual Assault: ‘So Grateful He Existed’
A woman has shared a moving story about how late actor James Ransone once saved her from a s***** assault, praising him for his courage and kindness. Molly Watts, who lived in the same building as Ransone in Chinatown, revealed the incident in an Instagram post following the actor’s death on December 21 at the age of 46.
Watts wrote that she was attacked at her building’s entrance and feared for her life as her assailant put his hands around her throat. She recalled screaming for help, but no one came. “PJ heard my screams and ran to help. He came running shirtless, carrying a bat or pipe — I’m not sure which, because I never saw him in action.”
“He scared my attacker, who ran. PJ chased him to the building he fled to. Because of the chase, the police were able to identify him, a repeat s**** offender. PJ saved me. I’m not sure if I would have the same life if he hadn’t run down that night,” she wrote.
Watts reflected on the emotional weight of the experience and the trauma Ransone himself may have endured earlier in life. “Even as an adult, I’m not sure how I would have handled the weight of what could have happened or how long it would take to heal. What’s especially hard for me with PJ’s passing is that he lived with that kind of violence. This world is rarely gentle to people who are hurt, vulnerable, acting out,” she said.
Ransone was best known for his roles as Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire and adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two. His recent credits included Black Phone 2, V/H/S/85, Small Engine Repair, What We Found, Poker Face, Seal Team, 50 States of Fright, and The First.
In her post, Watts expressed regret for never telling Ransone how grateful she was. “Over the years, I have thought of PJ from time to time. I wanted to reach out to him to let him know how grateful I was that he ran towards my screams. I didn’t. I regret that,” she wrote. She also shared a GoFundMe link to support Ransone’s family.
James Ransone’s sudden death has left a mark on both fans and those whose lives he touched personally. Stories like Watts’ highlight the quiet heroism behind the actor’s life beyond the screen.
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