James Ransone net worth 2025 was estimated to be $500,000. The American actor, best known for his intense and emotionally raw performances in acclaimed television series such as The Wire and Generation Kill, as well as films including It Chapter Two and The Black Phone.
Ransone died on December 19, 2025, at the age of 46, bringing to an end a career defined by fearless character work and a willingness to portray deeply flawed, troubled individuals.
| James Ransone Net Worth 2025 | $500,000 |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Baltimore, Maryland |
| American | American |
| Profession | Actor |
| Died | December 19, 2025 |
Early Life
James Finley Ransone III was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up with his brother, Dave, and attended the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, a magnet school for creative students.
After high school, Ransone briefly attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, studying photography and visual art. He left after one year to pursue acting full-time, immersing himself in New York’s independent film scene in the early 2000s.
How James Ransone Built His Net Worth
James Ransone net worth was primarily earned through television roles, independent films, and supporting roles in major studio productions. Unlike many mainstream stars, Ransone spent much of his career in character-driven projects rather than high-paying franchise leads, which limited his overall earnings despite strong critical recognition.
Breakthrough With The Wire
Ransone gained widespread attention in 2003 for his role as Chester “Ziggy” Sobotka in season two of HBO’s The Wire. He appeared in 12 episodes, portraying a troubled and immature dockworker whose desperation leads to tragedy.
Although Ziggy was initially a divisive character among viewers, Ransone’s performance has since been widely reassessed as one of the show’s most psychologically complex and tragic arcs. The role established him as a serious dramatic actor and brought him to the attention of The Wire creator David Simon.
Generation Kill and HBO Collaborations
David Simon cast Ransone again in HBO’s 2008 miniseries Generation Kill, where he played Marine Corporal Josh Ray Person across all seven episodes. His performance blended fast-talking humor with underlying fear and moral unease, earning praise for humanizing a reckless yet vulnerable soldier.
Ransone later appeared in Simon’s New Orleans–set drama Treme, further solidifying his place within HBO’s prestige television lineup.
Film Career and Mainstream Recognition
Alongside television, Ransone maintained a steady film career. He appeared in major studio films such as:
- Inside Man
- The Next Three Days
- Broken City
He also became a recognizable presence in horror and thriller films, including Sinister, Sinister 2, Kristy, Family Blood, The Black Phone, and V/H/S/85.
Ransone reached his widest mainstream audience in 2019 when he portrayed adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two. His performance stood out within the large ensemble cast, balancing humor, anxiety, and emotional vulnerability, and earned some of the film’s strongest reviews.
Personal Life
Ransone was open about his struggles with substance abuse and financial instability in his early adulthood. He developed a heroin addiction in his mid-20s but became sober in 2007, remaining candid about how addiction affected both his personal life and career.
He had a brief relationship with actress Chloë Sevigny in 2008 and later married Jamie McPhee, with whom he had a son.
In 2021, Ransone publicly revealed that he had been sexually abused as a child by a math tutor while attending school in Maryland. He reported the allegations to police in 2020, though prosecutors declined to file charges. Ransone later said the trauma played a significant role in his struggles with addiction and mental health.
When Did James Ransone Die?
James Ransone died on December 19, 2025, at the age of 46. His death prompted tributes from fans and fellow actors who praised his honesty, fearlessness, and commitment to portraying difficult truths on screen.
James Ransone Net Worth 2025
At the time of his death, James Ransone net worth was estimated at $500,000.
