James Ransone’s wife is speaking out publicly for the first time following the actor’s death, sharing a deeply personal message that has resonated with fans and colleagues alike.
Jamie McPhee paid tribute to her late husband on Instagram, posting a throwback photo of the couple smiling with their arms wrapped around one another, with Ransone resting his hand on her baby bump.
The couple shared two children together, and her message placed their family at the center of her remembrance.
Jamie McPhee's Statement
In the emotional caption, McPhee reflected on their bond and the life they built together, writing: "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."
She continued by thanking him for their family, adding: "Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts - you, Jack and Violet.
"We are forever."
Jamie McPhee’s tribute and fundraising efforts
Alongside her tribute, McPhee shared a GoFundMe link on her Instagram page to help support her family during the difficult period.
At the time of writing, it has raised $55,000.
In the days following Ransone’s death, McPhee also shared a separate fundraiser benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), signaling a desire to raise awareness and support for mental health causes while navigating her own loss.
Ransone is survived by McPhee and their two children.
Details surrounding James Ransone’s death
It was reported that Ransone passed away on Friday in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the manner of death as suicide by hanging. According to official records, the location was listed as a shed.
LAPD officers responded to a call at a residence, completed a death investigation, and determined that no foul play was suspected. His body has since been released.
Ransone was 46 years old.
Ransone was best known for portraying Ziggy Sobotka, a dock worker and gangster, during Season 2 of HBO’s The Wire, where he appeared in 12 episodes. The series aired from 2002 to 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest television dramas of all time.
Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous television shows and films, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Hawaii Five-0, Burn Notice, Generation Kill, Treme, Bosch, Poker Face, Tangerine, Sinister, and It: Chapter Two.
His final film appearance is scheduled for release in The Black Phone 2 in 2025.
Shortly before his death, Ransone published a lengthy post on his website titled An Apology, A Reckoning, and Hope. Written as a direct address to fans and critics, the message reflected on trauma, shame, faith, and accountability.
“I want to apologize,” Ransone wrote, acknowledging that some of his public comments had been confusing, hurtful, or misinterpreted. He explained that sarcasm and humor had become survival tools during periods of deep pain.
In the post, he revisited past trauma, including sexual abuse he had previously discussed publicly, and described how revisiting those experiences under public scrutiny took a heavy emotional toll.
He also wrote about fatherhood and how becoming a parent forced him to confront unresolved shame and fear.
Ransone admitted that his pain sometimes turned into paranoia and anger, leading him to say things he later regretted. He described being deeply affected by cruel messages he received online, writing that comments wishing harm on his family “broke something” in him.
Despite the honesty of the post, he emphasized that he was not seeking sympathy, but accountability. “I’m sorry,” he wrote. “Not just for being misunderstood, but for being careless.”
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