Ziggy Sobotka
Ziggy Sobotka | |
---|---|
David Simon | |
Portrayed by | James Ransone |
In-universe information | |
Alias | Ziggy |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Dock worker |
Family | Frank Sobotka (father) |
Relatives | Nick Sobotka (cousin) |
Chester Karol "Ziggy" Sobotka is a fictional character on the
Biography
Season 2
Ziggy is
He is often portrayed as a clumsy and inept beneficiary of his father's position and is more interested in goofing off. He is close to Nick, who often bails him out when his various money-making schemes backfire. Despite his shortcomings, however, he has a better understanding of technology than many of his colleagues. He uses his computer research skills to assist Nick in his dealings with the Greeks.
When thirteen dead women are discovered in one of Sobotka's
He turns to smuggling with his cousin, starting with a container of digital cameras. During a meeting with
Turning to a drug dealer named
After losing a fight with Maui, in response to a fake paternity suit prank, Ziggy buys a duck and takes it to Delores' bar. He feeds the duck too much alcohol and becomes upset when it dies. In an attempt to prove his smuggling skills, Ziggy begins stealing cars with Johnny Fifty. He announces this to Glekas, who reluctantly agrees to participate. Upon delivery, Glekas refuses to part with the agreed sum, sending Ziggy into a rage. He returns with a gun and kills Glekas with a barrage of gunshots. He also wounds a boy working in the warehouse.[1]
Ziggy breaks down in tears when he comes to his senses and confesses to the police when they arrive. While being interviewed by Sergeant Jay Landsman at the Homicide division, he agrees to sign a murder confession Landsman had prepared based on Ziggy’s statements. Ziggy requests the document be changed to reflect that Double G “begged” for his life. Frank later visits Ziggy in jail and apologizes for not doing more to help his son. Ziggy tells Frank that the union had always come before him, harkening back towards the memories they had shared previously on the docks. Ziggy is convicted of the murder and is last seen walking to his cell in a prison, serving out his sentence.[1]
Origins
The actor who portrays Ziggy, James Ransone, is a Baltimore native and has described the character as representative of the difficulties people face just trying to get by in Baltimore. The character's creators have deemed him "the angry prince of goofs."[2]
In an online interview, David Simon stated that Ziggy is loosely based on a real
References
- ^ a b "Character profile - Ziggy". HBO. 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
- ^ Alvarez, Rafael (2004). The Wire: Truth Be Told. New York: Pocket Books. pp. 160–164.
- ^ "David Simon Answers Fans' Questions". HBO.com. Retrieved 2009-08-30.