Recent reports have stated that actor James Ransone, known for his roles on HBO’s The Wire and Generation Kill, has died. According to TMZ, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported the 46-year-old died by suicide.
According to TMZ, Los Angeles Police responded to a call on Friday where they completed an investigation determining Ransone as deceased. No signs of foul play are suspected.
The actor, who was recently seen in It: Chapter Two and as Max in two The Black Phone films, began his career in the early 2000s with roles in series such as Ed and Third Watch. He received critical acclaim for his breakout role in season two of David Simon’s The Wire. According to TMZ, he starred as dock worker and gangster Ziggy Sobotka in all 12 episodes.
Then, in 2008, he returned to HBO for Simon’s Iraq war limited series Generation Kill as Cpl. Josh Ray Person. He also found later work in the post-Katrina-themed Treme, Amazon’s police procedural Bosch, and recently starred in the second season of Peacock’s Poker Face.
Ransone had an affinity for horror, appearing in projects such as V/H/S/85, 50 States of Fright, and both Sinister films. He reprised his 2021 role as the aloof brother, Max, to Ethan Hawke’s (The Let Down, Blue Moon) the Grabber in The Black Phone 2. Albeit a small role, the character was pivotal in the plot focused on a kidnapped boy’s attempt to escape a serial child killer in 1970s Colorado.
Deadline reports the Film Independent Spirit Award winner was born June 2, 1979 in Baltimore. He attended George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology before moving to New York to attend the Manhattan School of Visual Arts.
Ransone was open with his past mental health struggles. According to Deadline, he overcame a five-year addiction to heroin and discussed alleged sexual assault by a former tutor. Ransone leaves to behind his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their son.
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally or emotionally, you are not alone. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Line is a national resource only a call, text or search away.