James Ransone Tributes: Spike Lee, Sean Baker, Larry Clark & More Remember “Beautiful Soul” After His Death

Amid news of James Ransone‘s death at age 46, Hollywood is mourning the actor known for roles in IT Chapter Two and The Wire.

Spike Lee, who directed Ransone in Inside Man (2006) and Red Hook Summer (2012), paid tribute to the late actor with a social media post on Sunday, following Ransone’s deathy by suicide on Friday.

“Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother, MR. JAMES RANSONE,” he wrote on Instagram. “We Rocked Together On RED HOOK SUMMER And INSIDE MAN.”

“RIP,” wrote director Larry Clark with a photo of Ransone in his 2002 film Ken Park.

Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in Starlet (2012) and Tangerine (2015), wrote, “I’ll miss you dearly my friend.”

Ransone’s Tangerine co-star Mya Taylor also paid her respects in a statement. “RIP James Ransone,” she wrote. “This hurt me so bad. Such a sweet and funny guy. He helped me deal with fame. He could light up a room with his smile and dimples. So funny and sweet and he will be missed. Love this man so much.”

Madeleine McGraw, who starred with Ransone in The Black Phone (2021) and Black Phone 2 (2025), shared a tribute. “I’m struggling to put into words the profound emptiness I’m feeling since learning of James Ransone’s passing. My heart is absolutely shattered,” she wrote on her Instagram Story.

The actress remembered Ransone as “such a beautiful soul” and “so genuinely supportive,” recalling he was “full of kindness and so much passion” after he gave her parents “heartfelt advice” about “how to guide and protect me in this industry.”

“When he returned for his cameo in Black Phone 2, he was just as humble and grateful, lighting up with pure excitement to be on the Black Phone set,” she continued. “We got to catch up, laugh and connect again, and he was exactly the same: that radiant, passionate man overflowing with love for me, for his craft and for his family.”

McGraw wrote, “James, you truly changed me. You inspired me in ways I’ll carry forever. And I promise, with everything in me, to live by the wisdom you shared with me that night at the premiere. I already miss you so deeply. Rest in peace, my friend. You were one of a kind.”

Wendell Pierce, Ransone’s The Wire and Treme co-star, wrote on X, “Sorry I couldn’t be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.”

Ransone was found dead by hanging on Friday in Los Angeles, having apparently died by suicide, according to the county medical examiner’s report.

He is survived by wife Jamie McPhee and their son.