James Ransone, Who Played Ziggy Sobotka on ‘The Wire,’ Dies at 46
James Ransone, the actor known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in “” and Eddie Kaspbrak in “,” died by hanging on Friday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 46.
Ransone appeared as the dock worker-turned-petty criminal, Chester “Ziggy” Sabotka, in 12 episodes of “The Wire” Season 2. Over the course of his arc, Ziggy was easily pushed around by other low-level criminals and his fellow cargo checkers. After being delivered one too many indignities, Ziggy snaps and takes out his partner in a fit of rage. Horrified at his actions, he waits for the police to arrive on the scene and confesses to the killings. 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 life marine Cpl. Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes of the HBO mini-series, which followed a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Recon Marines.
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.”
His recent TV credits include “Poker Face,” “Seal Team,” “50 States of Fright” and “The First.”
Ransone was born in Baltimore in 1979. He 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.” He landed his role on “The Wire” a year later.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
