James Ranson is an American performer who has appeared in at least 81 productions and is known to the public for his portrayals of Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of the series “The Wire,” Eddie Kasbrak in the horror picture “It Chapter Two,” and Corporal Josh Ray Person in the limited series “Generation Kill.” He established himself as a creative and responsive individual, honored with several American professional awards for his work. His existence tragically concluded on December 19, 2025: the actor died by suicide in Los Angeles.
Family and Childhood
James Finley Ranson III was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. His father, James Finley Ranson II, was a Vietnam War veteran, and his mother, Joyce Peterson, maintained the household. The boy grew up alongside his younger brother David in a fairly disciplined environment and favored participation in school plays over athletic activities.
Around that time, from early years, James began to exhibit an interest in the arts, which later motivated him to enroll in the George Washington Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, where he studied theatrical fundamentals. Subsequently, in 1997, showing an interest in painting, he became a student at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
He experimented with advertising photography and music—he was the bass guitarist for a little-known New York rock ensemble, and due to his distinguished physical appearance, he was chosen for the cover of the album Through Being Cool, released in 1999 by the American rock band Saves the Day.
Career in Television and Film
James debuted in cinema in 2001—he played a minor role in the film “American Astronaut” (2001), then, in 2002, appeared as Tate—a troubled youth with sadistic tendencies—in Larry Clark’s film “Ken Park.” A year later, in 2003, he also portrayed a young man named Neo in the movie “Nola.”
One of Ranson’s first significant performances was in the second season of the police drama “The Wire,” where he brought to life the character of the hot-tempered loader and drug dealer named Ziggy Sobotka. Three years later, starting in 2006, the actor began experiencing difficulties—he developed a heroin dependency and accrued a debt of $30 thousand.
Ranson’s salvation was his role as Corporal Joshua “Ray” Person in the new HBO project titled “Generation Kill.” The performer managed to overcome difficult times, after which he began appearing on screens more frequently. He can be seen in films such as “The Next Three Days” (2010), “Eastbound & Down” (2011), “The Black Phone” (2021), and “The Black Phone 2” (2025), as well as in series like “How to Make It in America” (2010), “Burn Notice” (2010), and “Vinyl” (2018).
He worked across various genres: ranging from the so-called “police procedural” to post-apocalyptic narratives. However, by playing Eddie Kasbrak in the 2019 film “It Chapter Two,” he cemented his status as a favorite of the horror genre.
Public Activity and Achievements
Throughout his life, James Ranson sought to assist others—having overcome circumstances that were quite traumatic for him, he often shared his experiences with the public, addressing the topic of mental wellness on his social media. This, it is believed, helped dismantle the “taboo” surrounding discussions of these subjects among entertainment industry professionals.
Furthermore, the actor spent eight months of his life in Namibia, where he reassessed certain pressing issues and gained new perspectives. In recent decades, Ranson provided comprehensive support to individuals who survived suicide attempts. In 2006, he prevented the assault of his neighbor by an unknown person—responding to the woman’s cries, he managed to detain the aggressor before the crime occurred.
The performer was honored with awards from Independent Spirit, the Online Film and Television Association, and Fright Meter.
Personal Life
Ranson was wed to Jamie McPhee. Their union was solemnized in 2017—the ceremony took place on the shore of Lake Michigan. Almost nothing is known about McPhee’s background—the couple preferred not to disclose details of their relationship to the press and maintained a rather secluded lifestyle. It is known that the woman was not an actress and did not seek fame. The actor’s household raised two children named Jay and Violet.
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