The Wire star James Ransone dies by suicide at 46 in Los Angeles

by

James Ransone, a familiar face from the popular HBO series The Wire where he played Ziggy Sobotka, has passed away at 46 years old.

The actor died by suicide in Los Angeles on Friday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office.

His cause of death was listed as ‘hanging,’ and the place of death was recorded as a shed.

The medical examiner’s office noted that his body is ready for release.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. 

McPhee now includes a link on her social media to a fundraiser supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

As a longtime observer of pop culture, I always remember Domenick Lombardozzi for his incredibly moving portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire. He really brought to life the struggles of a Baltimore dock worker, and his dynamic with his father, Frank Sobotka (played so well by Chris Bauer), was just heartbreaking and unforgettable. It was a role that truly resonated with viewers.

He appeared in 12 episodes during the show’s 2003 run.

The Wire, which originally ran from 2002 to 2008, is considered by many to be one of the most important and impactful TV dramas ever made.

The show featured a talented cast, including Dominic West, Michael K. Williams, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Wood Harris, John Doman, Frankie Faison, and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.

Ransone became well-known to viewers of HBO shows like Generation Kill and Treme. He also appeared in a role on Amazon’s Bosch.

He last appeared on TV earlier this year, in a June episode of the show Poker Face’s second season.

Actor Ransone worked in a variety of films, appearing in everything from horror movies to independent dramas. He’s known for his roles in films like Prom Night (2008), Sinister (2012), Sinister 2 (2015), Tangerine (2015), Mr. Right (2015), It Chapter Two (2019), and The Black Phone (2021), with another Black Phone movie scheduled for release in 2025.

Ransone was open in recent years about deeply personal struggles. 

In 2021, he publicly shared that he was a survivor of sexual abuse.

He openly discussed his struggles with addiction and getting clean, sharing in a 2016 interview that he overcame a years-long heroin addiction when he was 27 years old.

You know, a lot of people assume my journey to sobriety started when I was working on ‘Generation Kill,’ but that’s not quite right. I actually got sober about six or seven months before that project. I remember taking a job in Africa – a really big one, actually. I was second in command, and honestly, it hit me that I wasn’t ready for that level of responsibility. I seriously questioned if they’d made a mistake in choosing me; it felt like too much, too soon.

The passing of Ransone is a sad loss for those who worked with him and admired his work, from his roles in intense TV shows to his independent films.

If you’re going through a difficult time, remember there’s support available. In the U.S., you can connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by visiting 988lifeline.org for a confidential chat.

Read More

2025-12-21 23:03