James Ransone, best known for starring in projects like IT: Chapter Two and The Wire, died aged 46 on December 19. Now, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner has confirmed the cause of death.
The actor played the adult version of Eddie Kaspbrak in the 2019 IT sequel, alongside James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain. He also starred as dock worker Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire Season 2 and appeared in HBO’s Generation Kill. Many of Ransone’s former colleagues paid tribute to the late star following the news.
Director Spike Lee wrote on Instagram, “Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE. We Rocked Together On ‘RED HOOK SUMMER’ And ‘INSIDE MAN.’”
Scott Derrickson, who directed Ransone in Sinister, Sinister 2, The Black Phone, and 2025’s The Black Phone 2, also mourned his passing on Instagram, writing: “An inexpressible loss. Five films together, and he gave unforgettable performances in all of them. Grateful to have known him. He is already sorely missed.”
James Ransone cause of death
A report from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office revealed that Ransone died by suicide, and his body was found at home. The cause was listed as “hanging.”
The date of death is listed as Friday, December 19, although news of the actor’s passing wasn’t announced to the public until Sunday evening. Jamie McPhee, who was married to Ransone, shared a photo of the couple on Instagram, with an emotional caption about 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.”
Other tributes to the star quickly flooded social media. Wendell Pierce, who also starred on The Wire with Ransone, wrote on X “Sorry I couldn’t be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.” Meanwhile Oscar winning director Sean Baker, who worked with Ransone on Starlet and Tangerine, added “I’ll miss you dearly my friend.”
Shortly before his passing, Ransone wrote on his website about the difficulties he’d faced processing trauma as a child. He alleged that he was sexually abused as a child, and that led to complicated coping mechanisms and behavior, which he found more difficult after becoming a father to his two daughters.
“Fatherhood cracked me wide open. It made me see myself with a level of honesty I’d been avoiding. It made me want to become someone my child could look up to. And with that came shame—shame I didn’t even know was still living in me,” Ransone wrote.
Ransone reported the abuse in 2020 to the Baltimore County Police who investigated his claims, but no arrests were subsequently made.
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