Actor James Ransone, famed for his role as the annoying Chester ‘Ziggy’ Sobotka in the second season of HBO’s acclaimed “The Wire,” has died. The actor was just 46. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner indicates Ransone died by suicide.
Born in 1979 in Baltimore, he landed his first credit in 2001’s “The American Astronaut” before breaking through in Larry Clark’s controversial 2002 film “Ken Park” as a sadistic adolescent.
A year later, his role as the immature ‘Ziggy’ became one of the most notable (and hated) characters on “The Wire” though Ransone scored good notices for his performances.
He steadily worked ever since with roles in Scott Derrickson’s “Sinister” and “The Black Phone”; Spike Lee’s “Inside Man,” “Red Hook Summer” and “Oldboy”; Dito Montiel’s “The Son of No One” and “Empire State”; Ti West’s “In a Valley of Violence”; Paul Haggis’ “The Next Three Days”; and the “Prom Night” remake.
Some of his most notable roles included playing the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in “IT: Chapter Two,” and as a pimp in Sean Baker’s “Tangerine”.
His TV credits were extensive too – the actor sticking at HBO for multiple series including “Generation Kill,” “How to Make It in America,” “Mosaic” and “Treme” as well as AMC series “Low Winter Sun,” Amazon’s “Bosch,” Hulu’s “The First,” and CBS’ “SEAL Team”.
His final works were a cameo in “Black Phone 2” and a guest role on Peacock’s “Poker Face”.
Source: THR
