Actor James Ransone, whose resume includes the likes of The Wire, It: Chapter Two, and the Sinister films, has passed away on Friday at the age of only 46. Reports indicate he died by hanging.
Ransone was a singular presence in projects large and small. I only recently saw his early breakout role as the most psychopathic character in a slew of upsetting people in Larry Clark and Ed Lachman’s Ken Park in 2002. Right after that, the actor played the pivotal role of Iggy Sobotka in season two of HBO’s The Wire. He then went on to play Cpl. Josh Ray Person in the critically acclaimed miniseries, Generation Kill. The wiry, fast-talking Ransone made a career playing down-and-out or wannabe characters and consistently delivered.
In more recent years, Ransone became a regular in the films of Scott Derrickson with standout roles as Deputy So-and-So in the Sinister films as well as the Grabber’s brother Max in the two Black Phone movies. He also appeared in Sean Baker’s Tangerine, a recent episode of Poker Face, and perhaps most prominently, as adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two where he and Bill Hader’s Ritchie Tozier have what is probably the best and most touching relationship in the film.
Ransone is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and two young children, ages six and four.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also reach out to the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386, or to your local suicide crisis center.
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.