James Ransone, the actor who played the older Eddie Kaspbrak in It: Chapter Two, has passed away at 46 years old.
Per the LA County Medical Examiner, Ransone died by suicide on Friday. Born June 2, 1979, Ransone also famously played Ziggy in the HBO series The Wire. He’s had several credits over the years, with his genre-specific highlights including Deputy So-and-So in the Sinister movies, Bobby in V/H/S/85, and Max in the two Black Phone films.
Following news of his death, he was remembered by his Hollywood colleagues. Spike Lee, who directed Ransone in Inside Man and Red Hook Summer, remembered him as a “dear brother.” Sean Baker, whose films Starlet and Tangerine featured the actor, similarly wrote he would “miss you dearly, my friend.” Tangerine co-star Mya Taylor said news of his death “hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. […] He could light up a room with his smile and dimples. So funny and sweet and he will be missed. Love this man so much.”
Nobody 2 director Timo Tjahjanto called Ransone “a raw talent. For years, I was in a Ransone rabbit hole. From Larry Clark to Generation Kill and when I saw him in It: Chapter Two. In my brief stint at the School of Visual Arts, it was cool because the kids said it was the same school that this kid James Ransone just graduated from.”
“I’m struggling to put into words the profound emptiness I’m feeling since learning of James Ransone’s passing. My heart is absolutely shattered,” wrote Black Phone 2 star Madeline McGraw on Instagram. “When he returned for his cameo in Black Phone 2, he was just as humble and grateful, lighting up with pure excitement to be on the Black Phone set. We got to catch up, laugh and connect again, and he was exactly the same: that radiant, passionate man overflowing with love for me, for his craft and for his family. […] Rest in peace, my friend. You were one of a kind.”
Ransone’s wife Jamie also eulogized him on Instagram, where she thanked him for “giving me the greatest gifts—you, Jack and Violet. We are forever. I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again.” A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts, please call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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