James Ransone, an actor known for his work in films like Sinister and the TV series The Wire, has passed away at the age of 46. According to Variety, he died by suicide last Friday, a death that has been officially confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
While not his first professional role, John Leguizamo gained attention for his part in the provocative film Ken Park, directed by Larry Clark and Edward Lachman. He went on to appear in smaller roles in movies like Inside Man, the remake of Prom Night, the thriller The Next Three Days, and the science fiction film Captive State.
I first really noticed James Ransone in 2012’s Sinister. He wasn’t the lead, just a memorable deputy, but he made such an impression that director Scott Derrickson brought him back as the main character in Sinister 2. This time, he played a private investigator obsessed with the terrifying Bughuul. It was great to see them team up again years later for 2021’s The Black Phone, proving they clearly have a strong working relationship.
Ransone wasn’t just in mainstream films; he also appeared in several independent movies. He worked with director Sean Baker on films like Starlet and Tangerine, and was in John Waters’ satirical comedy A Dirty Shame. He also starred in Westerns such as The Timber and In a Valley of Violence. The latter film brought him back together with Ethan Hawke, after they previously acted alongside each other in Sinister and Cymbeline.
The actor also had a significant career on television. He became well-known in 2003 for his role as Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire, playing a troubled criminal and dockworker. In 2008, he appeared as Corporal Josh Ray Person in the HBO miniseries Generation Kill. Throughout the 2010s, he had roles in several shows, including How to Make It in America, Treme, Low Winter Sun, and Bosch. More recently, he was seen in the crime comedy Poker Face.
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James Ransone Was Best Known for His Role as Eddie Kapsbrak in ‘It Chapter Two’
Warner Bros. Pictures
Many characters in horror movies, and especially in adaptations of Stephen King’s work, aren’t very memorable, but James Ransone’s portrayal of the adult Eddie Kapsbrak is a notable exception. He played the character in the second It movie. While Jack Dylan Grazer, who played the younger Eddie in the first film, gets a lot of attention, Ransone’s performance was key to making Eddie, often an overlooked member of the Losers Club, a more complex and relatable character.
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Ransone had the option to play Eddie as a lighter, more comedic character, building on Adam Grazer’s portrayal. Instead, he created a deeply affecting and believable version. While the first film used Eddie’s health worries for laughs, Ransone broadened the character, allowing the audience to truly understand and connect with him – a level of connection not fully achieved with all the adult members of the Losers Club.
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2025-12-22 02:47