James Ransone, "IT Chapter Two" and "The Wire" Actor, Dies at 46

James Ransone, the actor known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series“The Wire” and Eddie Kaspbrak in “It: Chapter Two,” has died. He was 46.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said in online records that Ransone died by suicide on Friday.

Ransone appeared as the dock worker-turned-petty criminal, Chester “Ziggy” Sabotka, in 12 episodes of “The Wire” Season 2. His final appearance in the show is during the Season 2 finale, where he is seen carrying out his prison sentence.

Five years later, Ransone starred alongside Alexander Skarsgård in “Generation Kill.” He played real real-life Marine Cpl. Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes of the HBO mini-series.

In 2019, Ransone played the older version of the meek, Derry-born limo driver Eddie Kaspbrak in “It: Chapter Two.” 

His other recent film credits include “Black Phone 2,” “V/H/S/85,” “Small Engine Repair” and “What We Found.”

On the TV side, he was seen recently in “Poker Face,” “Seal Team,” “50 States of Fright,” and “The First.”

Born in Baltimore in 1979, Ransone attended the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Md., from 1993 to 1997. He got his break co-starring in the 2002 teen drama “Ken Park” and landed his role on “The Wire” a year later.