James Ransone, known for his roles in Tangerine and The Black Phone, has died by suicide aged 46. He was an advocate for mental health and openly discussed his struggles with addiction. James Ransone played the character of Eddie in ‘It Chapter 2’. James Finley Ransone III, the American actor celebrated for his intense and memorable performances on both television and film, has died at the age of 46. This was reported by TMZ. ‘It: Chapter 2’ actor James Ransone dies by suicide Los Angeles authorities confirmed that Ransone died by suicide on Friday, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office listing the cause of death as pending. Police responded to a call at a residence where a death investigation was taking place, and no foul play was suspected, as reported by TMZ. Ransone’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans worldwide. Born on June 2, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland, Ransone began his career in the early 2000s and quickly established himself as a versatile character actor with a compelling screen presence. His roles and legacy His breakout role came in the critically acclaimed HBO crime drama ‘The Wire’, where he played Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in the show’s second season. Ziggy, the brash and troubled son of a dock worker caught up in Baltimore’s criminal underworld, became one of the show’s indelible figures, largely thanks to Ransone’s nuanced performance over 12 episodes. ‘The Wire’ itself has since been widely recognized as one of the greatest television dramas of its era, known for its unflinching portrayal of systemic dysfunction and richly drawn ensemble cast. Ransone’s work extended far beyond his early HBO success. He went on to work with the network in other major productions, including the intense Iraq War miniseries Generation Kill (2008), in which he played Corporal Josh Ray Person, and later recurring parts on Treme and the crime series Bosch. These roles showed his ability to inhabit a wide variety of characters, from hardened soldiers to complex urban figures, earning him respect in the industry and among audiences. On the big screen, Ransone has made a significant impact in genre films. He appeared in the supernatural horror films Sinister (2012) and Sinister 2 (2015), delivering performances that balanced eerie intensity with grounded realism. In 2019, he reached an even wider audience with his role as the grown-up Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, the sequel to the highly successful adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Ransone’s portrayal of Eddie, one of the Losers’ Club reunited to confront the malevolent force known as Pennywise, has been widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance amid a cast of Hollywood heavyweights including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader and Bill Skarsgard. Among his other notable film credits were Tangerine (2015), an award-winning independent comedy-drama, and The Black Phone (2021), a horror-thriller in which he played Max, a character that added to his reputation for choosing diverse and challenging projects. His work spanned more than two dozen films and numerous television appearances, reflecting a career marked by scope and dedication to craft. Off screen, Ransone has been candid about his personal struggles, including battles with addiction and the long-term effects of trauma. He got sober in the mid-2000s and spoke candidly about his recovery and resilience in interviews, helping to destigmatize conversations about mental health within the entertainment community. James Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their child. His death sparked renewed conversations about mental health support for artists and those struggling with trauma.