“The Wire ”Actor James Ransone's Cause of Death Confirmed After He Died at 46
- - “The Wire ”Actor James Ransone's Cause of Death Confirmed After He Died at 46
Charna Flam, Danielle BacherJanuary 8, 2026 at 2:31 AM
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James Ransone on October 12, 2018 in New York City. -
James Ransone died on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. He was 46 years old
The Wire actor died by suicide, according to his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, Jan. 7
His cause of death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Dec. 29
James Ransone’s cause of death has been confirmed days after the actor died at 46.
Ransone died by suicide, according to a Dec. 29 death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The late actor died on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner first ruled his death an apparent suicide.
Two days after Ransone’s death, his wife Jamie posted an Instagram, telling her late husband: "I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again. You told me — I need to be more like you and you need to be more like me — and you were so right."
"Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts — you, Jack and Violet. We are forever," she added, referring to the couple's two children.
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James Ransone on August 26, 2019 in Westwood, California.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family with expenses following the actor's death, and the fundraiser's description remembered Ransone as a "beloved husband, father, and friend."
"James, who his friends called PJ, was funny, magnetic, brilliant, and endlessly alive. Above all else, he was an extraordinary father," a message on the page added.
The tribute continued, "His wife, Jamie, known by her friends as Skipper, and their children, Jack and Violet, were the center of his world. They loved him infinitely, and he loved them just as fiercely in return. Their bond was deep, joyful, and unmistakable to anyone who witnessed it."
Ransone was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Md., to Joyce (née Peterson) and James Ransone II. Best known for his roles in The Wire and It: Chapter Two, he played the character Ziggy Sobotka on the hit HBO series The Wire, as well as the elder version of Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two. The latter project is a sequel to the horror film It, based on Stephen King's novel.
His other credits included 2021's The Black Phone, the 2025 sequel, Black Phone 2, as well as Law & Order, Hawaii Five-0, and Sean Baker's 2015 film Tangerine.
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James Ransone on June 20, 2019 in Westwood, California.
Following his death, Ransone's former costars paid tribute to him, including Channing Tatum and Natasha Lyonne.
Ransone and Tatum, 45, worked on the 2011 film, The Son of No One. "I love you PJ I'll see you on the next one my G," he wrote.
In her tribute, Lyonne, 46, recently worked with Ransone on season 2 of Poker Face. "Love you with everything I got and holding our beloved brilliant peejo with grace gratitude and cosmic peace into this life and the next — family forever ♾️ beautiful jamie you are the best of us we love you,” Lyonne wrote in a comment on Jamie’s Instagram tribute.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
