Skip to content
MovieCove
James Ransone

James Ransone

Actor · Died December 19, 2025, aged 46 · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Independent Spirit Award winner

James Finley Ransone III (June 2, 1979 – December 19, 2025) was an American actor and musician. He was best known for his roles as Ziggy Sobotka in the second season of the drama series The Wire, United States Marine Corps Cpl. Josh Ray Person in the war drama miniseries Generation Kill (2008), The Deputy in the supernatural horror films Sinister (2012) and Sinister 2 (2015), Chester in Tangerine (2015), the adult Eddie Kaspbrak in It Chapter Two (2019), and Max in The Black Phone movies. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Ransone, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 2, 1979
Died
December 19, 2025 (aged 46)
From
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
53 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 44% in 30 days

What are James Ransone's films like?

Across their 33 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
27%
Survival
23%
Bonds
20%
Self
13%
Power
9%
Society
5%
Ideas
3%
Survival8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 12 · Dark 13

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 9 · Intense 16

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 7

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 21 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 9

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 16 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 10
Shadow
3 of 10
Hero
2 of 10
Herald
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
27
Dread
13
Melancholic
15
Contemplative
7
Thrilling
5
Other
22

How their films linger

Bittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 11 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet19
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Ransone's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 40 of their 53 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Ransone's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 53 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Black Phone 2(2025)

    as Max

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • V/H/S/85(2023)

    as Bobby (segment "Dreamkill")

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Poker Face(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Juice

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Black Phone(2021)

    as Max Shaw

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Small Engine Repair(2021)

    as PJ

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • What We Found(2020)

    as Sgt. Steven Mohler

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • 50 States of Fright (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sebastian Klepner

  • It: Chapter Two(2019)

    as Eddie Kaspbrak

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Captive State(2019)

    as Ellison

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The First(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Nick Fletcher

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Fish in the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Jack

  • Tough Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Man

  • Doulo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Edwin

  • Family Blood(2018)

    as Christopher

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Write When You Get Work(2018)

    as Steven Noble

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Clapper(2017)

    as Darth Guy

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Mosaic(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Michael O'Connor

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • It Happened In L.A.(2017)

    as Heath

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • SEAL Team(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Reiss Julian

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Gemini(2017)

    as Stan

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • In a Valley of Violence(2016)

    as Gilly

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Light Up the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Joe

  • Mr. Right(2015)

    as Von Cartigan

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Conventional (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Stu Mac 3

  • Fun Size Horror: Volume Two(2015)

    as Stu Mac 3 (segment 'Conventional')

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Sinister 2(2015)

    as Ex-Deputy So & So

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Tangerine(2015)

    as Chester

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Bloomin Mud Shuffle(2015)

    as Lonnie

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Timber(2015)

    as Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Bosch(2014)

    Show 7 episodes · as Eddie Arceneaux

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Fruits De Mer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as George

  • Cymbeline(2014)

    as Philario

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Kristy(2014)

    as Scott

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • This American Life: One Night Only at BAM(2014)

    as David

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Granted! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Larry

  • False True Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Electric Slide(2014)

    as Jan Phillips

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Oldboy(2013)

    as Dr. Tom Melby

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Came Out Only at Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as The Man Who Came Out Only at Night

  • Empire State(2013)

    as Agent Nugent

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Low Winter Sun(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · as Damon Callis

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Broken City(2013)

    as Todd Lancaster

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Year of the Rat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Starlet(2012)

    as Mikey

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Sinister(2012)

    as Deputy

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Red Hook Summer(2012)

    as Kevin

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Lie(2011)

    as Weasel

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Son of No One(2011)

    as Officer Thomas Prudenti

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll(2009)

    as Chip Genson

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Next Three Days(2010)

    as Harv

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny D. / Perry Hutchinson

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Generation Kill(2008)

    Show 7 episodes · as Josh Ray Person

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Prom Night(2008)

    as Detective Nash

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Dennis Wayne Barfield

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Jericho(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Daryl

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Puccini for Beginners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Lone Guy at Bistro

  • Inside Man(2006)

    as Steve-O

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Good Humor Man(2005)

    as Junebug

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Malachance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mika

  • Downtown: A Street Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Billy

  • A Dirty Shame(2004)

    as Dingy Dave

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Ken Park(2002)

    as Tate

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Fan Mail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ricky

  • Nola(2003)

    as Neo-Gothboy

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Wire(2002)

    Show 12 episodes · as Chester 'Ziggy' Sobotka

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The American Astronaut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Bodysuit

  • Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Gary Morton

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Zack Capola

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Frankie

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark Dale · as Michael Whelan

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 70 titles from 1990 to 2025; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

It: Chapter Two (2019)

$473M worldwide

Highest rated

Generation Kill (2008)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

It: Chapter Two (2019)

Film career

MilestoneAward win
19902025

Peak 2014 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 8 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2001Screen debut· The American Astronaut
  • 2003First top-billed film· Ken Park
  • 2008Career best· Generation Kill
  • 2012Independent Spirit Award win· Starlet
  • 2015Career best· Sinister 2

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting70 of 70: 70 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score39th

By decade

1990s2 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s44 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 9% of 32 roles
011116

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Won an Independent Spirit Award in 2013.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do James Ransone's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 39; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 33rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 53 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th19
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 53 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic6
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

This American Life: One Night Only at BAM (2014)

98th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Wire (2002)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Ransone's work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore18 titles41–91 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles12–73 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity19 titles43–94 · median 81 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs17 titles34–79 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense16 titles35–88 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Ransone work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Ransone's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Scott Derrickson shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles