IT: Chapter 2 And The Wire Star James Ransone Is Dead At 46 From Alleged Suicide

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The holiday season can be difficult for some, and sadly, Hollywood is grieving the loss of James Ransone, a familiar face from HBO and horror films. Ransone, 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on Friday, December 19th, in an apparent suicide.

Actor Michael Ransone, recognized for his work in shows like The Wire and the film IT: Chapter 2, was found dead at his Los Angeles home. Police responding to a call discovered him hanging in a shed, according to a report from the L.A. County Medical Examiner (via TMZ).

Officers investigated the death at the scene and completed a preliminary report. They found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Scott Derrickson directed Ransone across several movies, including his cameo in this year’s Black Phone 2, and the filmmaker took to Instagram Stories to share his grief-filled reaction to hearing the news. In his words:

A truly heartbreaking loss. He starred in five films with us, delivering memorable performances in every single one. I’m so thankful I had the chance to know him, and he will be deeply missed.

Scott Derrickson

I really enjoyed seeing James Ransone pop up in Season 2 of Rian Johnson’s Poker Face! He played a character named Juice in an episode alongside Natasha Lyonne, and it was a fun, memorable appearance – especially for fans who recognize him from the Sinister sequels.

Fans of horror were excited about the possibility of seeing the actor reprise his role as Eddie Kaspbrak in the new IT: Welcome to Derry series. The first season’s ending cleverly allowed Pennywise, played by Bill Skarsgård, to travel through time, which could have brought back actors from the original movies. However, it’s currently unknown if those plans were ever seriously considered.

Though Ransone acted in many different kinds of films, he was particularly well-liked in horror movies. He had a knack for bringing a welcome bit of energy and humor to even the darkest and most intense scenes, and built up an impressive collection of horror roles over his career. Here are a few examples of his work:

  • Prom Night (2008)
  • Sinister (2012)
  • Sinister 2 (2015)
  • Fun-Size Horror: Volume 2 (2015)
  • Family Blood (2018)
  • Deadwax (2018)
  • Captive State (2019)
  • IT: Chapter 2 (2019)
  • 50 States Of Fright (2020)
  • What We Found (2020)
  • The Black Phone (2021)
  • V/H/S/85 (2023)
  • Black Phone 2 (2025)

While known for his work in horror, James Ransone also gained prominence through several HBO series, including what many consider one of the greatest TV shows ever made. He’s particularly remembered for playing Ziggy Sobatka, a popular character – a dockworker involved in crime – during the second season of The Wire.

Later in his career, Ransone appeared in the miniseries Generation Kill as Cpl. Josh Ray Pearson, played Tim in the dramedy How to Make It in America, and took on the role of Nick, a chef in New York City, in Treme.

Beyond his work with HBO and in horror films, the actor appeared in guest roles on shows like Law & Order, Bosch, and Mosaic. He also had parts in movies such as Spike Lee’s Inside Man, Sean Baker’s Tangerine, John Waters’ A Dirty Shame, and Ti West’s In A Valley of Violence, among others.

James Ransone has spoken publicly about difficult experiences from his past. In 2021, he claimed he was sexually abused by a tutor in 1992. He reported this to the Baltimore County police, but the investigation didn’t lead to any charges against the tutor, who was a department head at a middle school at the time.

The team at TopMob is deeply saddened by the loss of James Ransone and extends its heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.

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2025-12-22 00:14