The Wire and IT: Chapter Two actor James Ransone takes his own life aged 46 as police release details
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, child sexual abuse and addiction which some readers may find distressing.
James Ransone has tragically passed away at the age of 46.
Authorities in Los Angeles, California, have confirmed that Ransone died by suicide on Friday (December 19), after police were called to a property in the Fairfax area of the city at around 2pm, following reports of an unresponsive person.
Officers said there were no signs of foul play, and the case is now being handled by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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Ransone was born in Maryland and studied theater at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson before beginning his acting career.
He previously spoke about how he believed acting 'saved' him.
"I did not fit in well with all of the kids," he said. "Adolescence was a really hard time for me - as I think it is for most kids."
The actor struggled in 'normal public schools' and found himself after his mom sent him to an arts school.
"I think it saved me as a kid," Ransone added. "Going to arts school saved me."
He went on to become a familiar face on both TV, notably playing Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire, and in horror films.
Outside of the HBO drama, Ransone appeared opposite Ethan Hawke in Sinister and later starred as Max in The Black Phone - a supernatural thriller based on a story by Joe Hill, the son of Stephen King.
He also appeared in It: Chapter Two, playing Eddie Kaspbrak alongside Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain and Bill Skarsgård.
Ransone often spoke passionately about horror films, pushing back against claims that the genre wasn’t taken seriously. While promoting It: Chapter Two, he once said critics should 'tell that to William Friedkin or Stanley Kubrick'.
David Simon, creator of The Wire, paid tribute to Ransone following his death, describing it as 'grievous and awful'.
Simon's statement read in part: "He committed not only to the work but to the camaraderie that turns every good film production into something familial and caring."
In recent years, Ransone spoke openly about his personal life, including his struggles with addiction, and previously revealed that he became sober at 27 after years of heroin use. He also shared that he was a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, speaking publicly about his experiences in an effort to help others.
Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. McPhee has since shared a fundraiser supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Topics: Mental Health, Celebrity, Film and TV, California, US News
Joe Yates