James Ransone, sometimes credited as PJ Ransone, was an American actor and musician whose performances both on television and in film were intense and psychologically subtle. This earned him a reputation as an actor after he starred as Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire and subsequently in the horror genre with appearances in Sinister and It Chapter Two.
The result of a career of over twenty years is a reputation as a fearless character actor, working regularly with auteur directors and high-end television producers. He passed away on 19 December, 2025 by suicide, aged 46.
James Ransone Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | James Finley Ransone III |
| Birth Date: | June 2, 1979 |
| Aged: | 46 Years |
| Died: | December 19, 2025 |
| Birthplace: | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Parents | James Finley Ransone II & Joyce Ransone |
| Height: | 1.75 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Wife: | Jamie Mcphee |
Early Life
James Ransone was born on 2nd June 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was brought up by his father, James Finley Ransone II, who served in the Vietnam War, and his mother, Joyce Ransone. Born in Baltimore, a neighborhood that later resonated in the genuineness of his performances, Ransone had an early interest in the arts. He enrolled in the George Washington Carver Center of Arts and Technology, where he learned theater and fine arts, honing his art by undergoing formal training.
Upon completion of high school, he spent a short period enrolled at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Even though he never graduated, the relocation to New York was a pivotal moment, as he was now in the vicinity of independent film, theater, and the future prestige-TV ecosystem that would shortly become his calling.
James Ransone Career
James Ransone started working as a professional actor in 2001, first as a background actor in movies and on stage. His break came in 2003, when he played Ziggy Sobotka in season two of The Wire. Ziggy, with all his volatility, vulnerability, and tragic trajectory, demonstrated the skill of Ransone to animate even the most deeply flawed characters, receiving critical acclaim and establishing himself as a shining star among performers.
He proceeded to establish a fruitful creative partnership with David Simon, featuring in Generation Kill (2008) and Treme (2011-2012). These performances supported his variety and dependability in ensemble casts of realism and social commentary. Ransone is a modern horror icon in the 2010s.
He depicted the role of Deputy So-and-So in Sinister and reappeared in the sequel, offering a realistic, disturbing touch that people could relate to. His adult role of Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two only increased his mainstream visibility without compromising the emotional depth that characterized his work.
Outside of horror, Ransone has featured in some high-profile projects such as Bosch, Low Winter Sun, and the Poker Face series on Peacock. In 2025, he was the subject of the second season of the show, having finished a career that was both consistent and deep and artistically risky. Alongside his acting career, Ransone was a musician, having been a bassist in the New York City metal band Early Man, a fact that indicates his lifetime involvement in underground creative circles.
Social Media
James Ransone had a formal Instagram profile with the name @jamesransone. As of the end of 2025, the account contained no posts and more than 158,000 followers; this is due to the practice of Ransone archiving or removing the content. During his active period, he was open with his platform, regularly talking about recovery, trauma, and personal reflection, but not promotion.
After his death on December 19, 2025, tributes and memories were posted on Instagram and other platforms by colleagues, collaborators, and fans, highlighting the respect he wielded in the industry.
Personal Life
James Ransone was married to Jamie McPhee. On September 23, 2017, the couple was legally married in a small and private ceremony at Rosewood Beach in Lake Michigan. They were blessed with two children, Jack, the son, and Violet, the daughter.
James Ransone and McPhee were quite secretive, seldom showing in the same place and never giving interviews in pairs. The relationship with James Ransone and any previous romantic relationship is not publicly documented. During the years before his demise, McPhee took part in community remembrances of their marriage and their family, highlighting their perennial connection.
James Ransone Net Worth
At the time of his death in December 2025, James Ransone had an estimated net worth of between 500,000 and 3 million dollars, according to several reputable sources. More conservative estimates pegged his net worth at around $500,000, with other industry indicators pegging him at around 2-3 million.
He made most of his income through SAG-AFTRA deals to appear in recurring roles on television shows, including The Wire, Generation Kill, Treme, and Bosch, or in studio movies like Sinister and It Chapter Two. Ransone had openly discussed previous financial difficulties, saying that he had about $30,000 in debt in his early thirties during his time of heroin addiction as he fought to attain long-term sobriety and professional stability.