James Ransone is an American actor and musician recognized for his roles as Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire (2003), Deputy So-and-So in Sinister (2012) and Sinister 2 (2015), adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two (2019), and Max in The Black Phone (2021).

Born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, he has built a dynamic career in film, television, and theater, often portraying intense, complex characters.

Early Life and Education

James Finley Ransone III was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, to James Finley Ransone II, a Vietnam War veteran, and Joyce Peterson, a homemaker.

Raised in Baltimore with his brother Dave, Ransone had a creative upbringing, playing in Fugazi-inspired punk bands as a teenager. He attended the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland, from 1993 to 1997, a magnet school where he initially specialized in theater before switching to fine arts, graduating in 1997.

He briefly enrolled at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan for one year but left to pursue acting full-time. His early life was marked by personal struggles, including a heroin addiction by age 27, which he overcame by 2007 after relocating to Namibia for the filming of Generation Kill.

In May 2021, Ransone disclosed on Instagram that he was sexually abused by his math tutor, Timothy Rualo, in 1992, an experience that shaped his resilience.

Career

James Ransone’s acting career began with his debut as Bodysuit in the indie sci-fi musical The American Astronaut (2001). He gained attention for his role as Tate in Larry Clark’s controversial Ken Park (2002) and achieved a breakthrough as Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of HBO’s The Wire (2003), appearing in 12 episodes.

His intense performance led to roles in films like A Dirty Shame (2004) and Spike Lee’s Inside Man (2006) as Steve-O. In 2008, he starred as Cpl. Josh Ray Person in HBO’s Generation Kill, a role that earned him critical acclaim and an Online Film & Television Association Award.

Ransone’s film career expanded with collaborations with notable directors, including Spike Lee (Red Hook Summer 2012, Oldboy 2013), Sean Baker (Starlet 2012, Tangerine 2015), and Scott Derrickson (Sinister 2012, Sinister 2 2015, The Black Phone 2021).

His role as Deputy So-and-So in Sinister and its sequel showcased his ability to blend horror with emotional depth. He played adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two (2019), earning praise for his chemistry with the ensemble cast.

Other film credits include The Next Three Days (2010), Cymbeline (2014), In a Valley of Violence (2016), and Small Engine Repair (2021).

On television, Ransone had recurring roles in How to Make It in America (2010–2011) as Tim, Treme (2011–2012) as Nick, Low Winter Sun (2013) as Damon Callis, and Bosch (2016) as Eddie Arceneaux.

He also appeared in Mosaic (2018), The First (2018), and SEAL Team (2020). His theater work includes starring in Small Engine Repair off-Broadway in 2014.

As a musician, he played bass for the New York City metal band Early Man, adding to his creative versatility. His career spans over 70 credits, reflecting his work ethic and range across genres.

Awards and Nominations

Won: Online Film & Television Association (OTRA) Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries for Generation Kill (2009)

Won: Independent Spirit Award, Robert Altman Award for Starlet (2012, ensemble cast)

Won: BAM Award, Best Cast for It Chapter Two (2019, ensemble)

Won: Fright Meter Award, Best Ensemble Cast for It Chapter Two (2019)

Nominated: BAM Award, Best Actor for It Chapter Two (2019)

Personal Life

James Ransone resides in New York City and is married to Jamie McPhee, with whom he has one son, though the child’s name is not disclosed. The couple maintains a private life, with limited details about their relationship timeline.

Ransone was briefly rumored to have dated actress Natasha Lyonne in 2013 after attending an event together, but no relationship was confirmed. His struggles include overcoming a heroin addiction by 2007, which he credits to his work on Generation Kill in Namibia, and a $30,000 debt he resolved through sobriety.

In 2006, he heroically saved a neighbor from an assailant by chasing them with a metal pipe, earning local praise. Ransone is of Irish, Italian-German, and English descent and has been open about his 1992 sexual abuse experience, advocating for survivors.

His hobbies include music, and he appeared on the back cover of Saves the Day’s album Through Being Cool as a passed-out partygoer. He has avoided major controversies, focusing on his career and family.

Filmography

The American Astronaut (2001, film) – Bodysuit

Ken Park (2002, film) – Tate

The Wire (2003, TV series) – Ziggy Sobotka (12 episodes)

A Dirty Shame (2004, film) – Dingy Dave

Downtown: A Street Tale (2004, film) – Supporting role

Inside Man (2006, film) – Steve-O

Generation Kill (2008, TV miniseries) – Cpl. Josh Ray Person

Prom Night (2008, film) – Supporting role

How to Make It in America (2010–2011, TV series) – Tim (7 episodes)

The Next Three Days (2010, film) – Supporting role

Treme (2011–2012, TV series) – Nick (10 episodes)

The Son of No One (2011, film) – Supporting role

Sinister (2012, film) – Deputy So-and-So

Starlet (2012, film) – Mikey

Red Hook Summer (2012, film) – Supporting role

Low Winter Sun (2013, TV series) – Damon Callis

Broken City (2013, film) – Supporting role

Oldboy (2013, film) – Supporting role

Cymbeline (2014, film) – Supporting role

Electric Slide (2014, film) – Supporting role

Tangerine (2015, film) – Chester

Sinister 2 (2015, film) – Ex-Deputy So-and-So

In a Valley of Violence (2016, film) – Supporting role

Bosch (2016, TV series) – Eddie Arceneaux

Mosaic (2018, TV series) – Supporting role

The First (2018, TV series) – Supporting role

It Chapter Two (2019, film) – Adult Eddie Kaspbrak

Captive State (2019, film) – Sgt. Steven Mohler

What We Found (2020, film) – Supporting role

SEAL Team (2020, TV series) – Supporting role

Small Engine Repair (2021, film) – Supporting role

The Black Phone (2021, film) – Max

Discography:

Bass player for Early Man, a New York City metal band; no specific releases credited to Ransone.

Net Worth

James Ransone’s net worth is estimated at $1.5–$3 million, primarily from his acting career in films like Sinister, It Chapter Two, and series like The Wire and Generation Kill. Sources vary, with Celebrity Net Worth citing $1.5 million (2024) and others estimating up to $3 million (2023).