‘Black Phone 2’ Actor James Ransone has Died Aged 46

Ransone was a much-loved genre figure who also appeared in movies including ‘The Black Phone’ and this year’s sequel, and across a variety of TV series.

James Ransone in 'Sinister 2.' Photo: Blumhouse/Focus Features.

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Actor James Ransone has died aged 46.
He appeared in the likes of 'It: Chapter Two' and 'The Wire.'
Ransone also showed up in 'Bosch' and 'The Black Phone.'

James Ransone, the American actor whose magnetic intensity and emotional range brought to life some of modern television and horror cinema’s most memorable characters, has died at the age of 46. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Ransone died by suicide on December 19, 2025.

Among Ransone’s credits are the likes of ‘It: Chapter Two’ and ‘The Black Phone.’

It Chapter Two

"It ends."

RHorror Thriller

Audience
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Release Date: Sep 6, 2019

Run Time: 2 hr 49 min

Budget: $79,000,000

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader

Watch It Chapter Two Online

Ransone’s wife Jamie McPhee shared this statement to Instagram:

“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.”

James Ransone: Early life and beginnings

(L to R) James McAvoy, James Ransone and Isaiah Mustafa in 'It Chapter Two'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Born June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, James Finley Ransone III saw his career segue from regional stages to Hollywood Educated at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and briefly at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, Ransone’s formative years were steeped in exploration and artistic curiosity.

His breakthrough came in 2003 with his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of HBO’s ‘The Wire’ — a role that instantly marked him as a compelling presence capable of channeling vulnerability, volatility, and heartbreaking earnestness.

James Ransone: Television and film

(L to R): James Ransone and Jessica Chastain in 'It: Chapter Two.' Photo: New Line.

Over more than two decades, Ransone built a body of work remarkable for both its diversity and depth. On television, he appeared in acclaimed series such as ‘Generation Kill,’‘Bosch’ and ‘Poker Face,’ embodying characters that ranged from manic dreamers to battle-hardened marines.

In cinema, he was equally dynamic. Ransone’s filmography included the gritty indie ‘Tangerine,’ and a string of standout genre performances: the unnerving Deputy in ‘Sinister’ and ‘Sinister 2,’ the emotionally fractured adult Eddie Kaspbrak in ‘It: Chapter Two,’ and the troubled Max in ‘The Black Phone’ and its 2025 sequel.

James Ransone: Legacy

Ransone’s legacy cannot be measured by any single role or genre. His career spanned gritty prestige television, independent drama, and mainstream horror, creating an indelible imprint on each. His chameleon-like ability to disappear into character made him a favorite of both auteurs and genre filmmakers, and his work will continue to be rediscovered and cherished.

He is survived by his wife and their children.