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NEED TO KNOW
James Ransone died on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. He was 46 years old
The Wire actor died by suicide, according to his death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, Jan. 7
His cause of death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Dec. 29
James Ransone's cause of death has been confirmed days afterthe actor died at 46.
Ransone died by suicide, according to a Dec. 29 death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The late actor died on Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. TheLos Angeles County Medical Examinerfirst ruled his death an apparent suicide.
Two days after Ransone's death, his wife Jamie posted anInstagram,telling her late husband: "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," she added, referring tothe couple's two children.
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AGoFundMe pagewas set up to help the family with expenses following the actor's death, and the fundraiser's description remembered Ransone as a "beloved husband, father, and friend."
"James, who his friends called PJ, was funny, magnetic, brilliant, and endlessly alive. Above all else, he was an extraordinary father," a message on the page added.
The tribute continued, "His wife, Jamie, known by her friends as Skipper, and their children, Jack and Violet, were the center of his world. They loved him infinitely, and he loved them just as fiercely in return. Their bond was deep, joyful, and unmistakable to anyone who witnessed it."
Ransone was born on June 2, 1979, in Baltimore, Md., to Joyce (née Peterson) and James Ransone II. Best known for his roles inThe WireandIt: Chapter Two, he played the character Ziggy Sobotka on the hit HBO seriesThe Wire, as well as the elder version of Eddie Kaspbrak inIt: Chapter Two.The latter project is a sequel to the horror filmIt, based onStephen King's novel.
His other credits included 2021'sThe Black Phone, the 2025 sequel,Black Phone 2,as well asLaw & Order,Hawaii Five-0,andSean Baker's 2015 filmTangerine.
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Following his death, Ransone's former costars paid tribute to him, includingChanning TatumandNatasha Lyonne.
Ransone and Tatum, 45, worked on the 2011 film,The Son of No One. "I love you PJI'll see you on the next one my G," he wrote.
In her tribute, Lyonne, 46, recently worked with Ransone on season 2 ofPoker Face. "Love you with everything I got and holding our beloved brilliant peejo with grace gratitude and cosmic peace into this life and the next — family forever ♾️ beautiful jamie you are the best of us we love you," Lyonne wrote in a comment on Jamie's Instagram tribute.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at988lifeline.org24/7.
Read the original article onPeople