A Tragic Loss
Goodbye Edward “Eddie” Kaspbrak, known to the world as James Ransone. The talented actor, recognized for his many memorable film roles, has sadly passed away by suicide at the age of 46. He died by hanging on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Personal Reflections and Empathy
This loss feels deeply personal, even though I never knew him. It is clear that James was facing significant struggles. He courageously revealed that he was sexually abused by his tutor, Timothy Rualo, multiple times at his childhood home in Phoenix, Maryland, over a six-month period in 1992. In 2021, Ransone came forward as a survivor of sexual abuse.
Ransone recounted, “We did very little math. The strongest memory I have of the abuse was washing blood and feces out of my sheets after you left. I remember doing this as a 12-year-old because I was too ashamed to tell anyone.”
This traumatic experience led to what he described as a “lifetime of shame and embarrassment.” He told Rualo that these actions contributed to his struggles with alcoholism and heroin addiction. After achieving sobriety in 2006, Ransone felt ready to confront his past, later reporting the abuse to the Baltimore County police in March 2020. However, he was told by a detective in September that prosecutors “had no interest in pursuing the matter any further,” according to his email.
Although I was never abused in the same way, I relate to the pain of childhood trauma. I experienced verbal abuse from my grandfather throughout my childhood and into adulthood, which deeply affected me. James, who was married and a father of two, with his wife Jamie McPhee, even posted a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Career Highlights
James Ransone was well-known for portraying Ziggy Sobotka, the son of Frank Sobotka (played by Chris Bauer), a Baltimore dock worker, in the second season of “The Wire.” He appeared in 12 episodes in 2003. The critically acclaimed HBO series aired from 2002 to 2008, featuring a renowned cast including Dominic West, Michael Kenneth Williams, John Doman, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Frankie Faison, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., and many more.
Ransone also had significant roles in television series such as “Generation Kill,” “Treme,” and “Bosch.” His final TV appearance was in a Season 2 episode of “Poker Face” that aired in June.
His film career included starring roles in “Prom Night” (2008), “Sinister” (2012), “Sinister 2” (2015), “Tangerine” (2015), “Mr. Right” (2015), “It Chapter Two” (2019), “The Black Phone” (2021), and “Black Phone 2” (2025).
Impact of Shame and Mental Illness
Sadly, death by suicide is not uncommon, and the reasons behind it are complex. For James, the shame and embarrassment stemming from his trauma were burdens he could never fully escape. The pain of his experiences lingered, despite his professional success and the love of his family. Outwardly, it seemed he had a fulfilling life—well-known in film and media, surrounded by a beautiful family. Yet, the internal battle remained, and it is possible the voices of his past did not allow him peace.
A Call for Greater Support in Hollywood
Rest in peace, James (Eddie) Ransone. You fought hard for many years—you did not fail in your fight. Despite his status as a film star, it appears that Hollywood does too little to support actors and actresses in overcoming their inner demons. As long as the industry profits, it seems little attention is paid to the mental health of its talent. James mattered, and his loss is deeply felt. Our hearts go out to his wife and children, who will be reminded of him everywhere, especially in his work on film and television.
This is so personal to me because of the shame I experience in my life, which is one of the reason I wrote my Memoir “Runaway Shame” – Avilable now at all major online retailers. Also being that he is 46 years old the same age as myself today.
Joe Meyers Adventures 