Actor James Ransone, best remembered for bringing to life one of the most divisive figures in TV history, has died at the age of 46.
Ransone, who portrayed the perpetually aggravating Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in Season Two of “The Wire,” died by suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone began his acting career with a small role in the offbeat 2001 sci-fi western “The American Astronaut.” He drew wider attention a year later with a disturbing performance in Larry Clark’s controversial drama “Ken Park,” where he played a deeply troubled teenager.
That fearlessness paid off in 2003 when he joined “The Wire.” His portrayal of Ziggy — immature, reckless, and often infuriating — made the character one of the show’s most disliked, while earning Ransone respect for fully committing to a role designed to provoke. His performance was filled with raw authenticity.
Ransone went on to build a steady and eclectic career across film and television.
His film work included horror hits like Scott Derrickson’s “Sinister” and “The Black Phone,” collaborations with Spike Lee on “Inside Man,” “Red Hook Summer,” and “Oldboy,” and appearances in films such as “In a Valley of Violence,” “The Next Three Days,” and the “Prom Night” remake. He also made an impression as adult Eddie Kaspbrak in “IT: Chapter Two” and as a volatile pimp in Sean Baker’s “Tangerine.”
Ransone’s final screen appearances included a cameo in “The Black Phone 2” and a guest role on Peacock’s “Poker Face.”