James Ransone III is an American actor best known for his role as Ziggy Sobotka in the acclaimed HBO crime drama series The Wire.
James Finley Ransone III was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Joyce and James Finley Ransone II. In 1993, he enrolled at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, a magnet high school focused on the arts, where he studied theater and later, expressive arts. He graduated in 1997 and subsequently moved to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts, where he studied for one year.
James Ransone began his acting career in the early 2000s. In 2001, he made an appearance in an episode of the legal drama series Law & Order and featured in the sci-fi film The American Astronaut. The following year, he gained attention for his intense portrayal of Tate in the controversial drama film Ken Park (2002).
Ransone's breakout television role came in 2003 when he was cast as Ziggy Sobotka in Season 2 of HBO’s The Wire, created by David Simon. He later collaborated with Simon again for the 2008 miniseries Generation Kill, in which he played Cpl. Josh Ray Person, and for the HBO drama Treme in 2011.
In 2010, Ransone took on a recurring role in the HBO comedy series How to Make It in America. He starred in the independent drama Starlet and the horror thriller Sinister, both released in 2012. He reprised his role in the film’s sequel, Sinister 2, in 2015. In 2013, he appeared in AMC's crime drama Low Winter Sun.
Ransone continued to build a diverse portfolio, joining the cast of the 2016 Western film In a Valley of Violence and co-starring in the acclaimed indie film Tangerine. In 2017, he appeared in the mystery thriller Gemini alongside Zoë Kravitz and John Cho. His other credits include the horror film Family Blood (2018) and the science fiction thriller Captive State (2019).
Ransone gained significant recognition for his role as adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, the 2019 sequel to the 2017 horror hit based on Stephen King's novel. His performance was praised for capturing the character's neuroses and vulnerability.
Before his involvement in major HBO projects, Ransone was in a long-term relationship that lasted five years. He has spoken candidly about past struggles with substance use, including heroin addiction, which contributed to the end of the relationship. He credited personal growth and professional focus for helping him recover.
Over the years, James Ransone has built a stable career in both television and film. While exact numbers vary, his estimated net worth has been reported at approximately $3 million, largely attributed to his work in critically acclaimed television series and major film roles, including The Wire and It: Chapter Two.
| Birth Date: | 2 Jun, 1979 |
| Age: | 41 yrs |
| Occupations: | Television actor Film actor Actor Musician Model |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Baltimore |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3 million |
