The film world has lost a uniquely gifted character actor. Peter Greene, best known for his memorable roles in the 1994 classics “Pulp Fiction” and “The Mask,” was found dead in his New York City apartment on Friday. He was 60 years old. His longtime manager confirmed the tragic news, marking the end of a life filled with both professional acclaim and personal struggle.
Who Was Peter Greene?
Peter Greene (1965–2025) built a career around unsettling and threatening characters. Spanning over 30 years, his work made him well known for bringing layered antagonists to life. His manager, Gregg Edwards, remembered him as “one of the best character actors on the planet” and a “terrific guy,” pointing to the gap between his on-screen intensity and off-screen kindness.
What Were His Most Famous Roles?
Greene’s filmography is a tour of iconic 1990s cinema. In 1994 alone, he left two permanent marks. He played the sadistic pawn shop security guard Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” That same year, he starred as the primary antagonist, mobster Dorian Tyrell, opposite Jim Carrey in the blockbuster “The Mask.” His other notable performances include an uncredited turn as Redfoot in “The Usual Suspects” (1995) and a corrupt detective in Denzel Washington’s “Training Day” (2001).
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How Did His Career Begin?
His breakthrough matched the intensity of his acting. Greene received strong critical praise for his powerful lead role in the 1993 independent film Clean, Shaven, where he played a man living with schizophrenia. The performance revealed his depth and fearless dedication, showing early on that he was much more than a threatening screen presence.
What Was Known About His Personal Life?
Greene’s path to acting was difficult. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he ran away from home at 15 and spent years homeless on the streets of New York, where he battled heroin and cocaine addiction. He openly discussed attempting suicide in 1996, a crisis that led him to seek treatment. He channeled the grit of these experiences into his acting, bringing an authenticity few could match. He is survived by a brother and a sister.
What Was He Working On?
At the time of his death, Greene’s career was still active. His manager revealed he was set to begin filming an independent thriller titled “Mascots” with actor Mickey Rourke in January 2026. The film’s writer-director was reportedly “very upset” at the loss, a sentiment echoed throughout the film community.
How Was the Actor Discovered?
According to police and his manager, Gregg Edwards, Greene was found unresponsive inside his apartment on Clinton Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side around 3:25 p.m. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected, but the official cause of death will be determined by the city’s medical examiner. The news sent a wave of sorrow through the industry.
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Who Was Peter Greene on Screen?
Greene possessed a distinct, intense presence that made him a standout in every film he appeared in. For a generation of moviegoers, he is unforgettably etched as the sadistic mobster Dorian Tyrell, the primary antagonist who clashed with Jim Carrey in the blockbuster “The Mask.” Quentin Tarantino fans instantly recognize him as Zed, the predatory pawn shop owner in “Pulp Fiction.” His impressive filmography also includes powerful roles in “Laws of Gravity,” “Clean, Shaven,” “Blue Streak,” and the Oscar-winning “Training Day.”
His manager, Gregg Edwards, remembered him not just as a performer, but as a deeply good person. “He was a terrific guy,” Edwards said. “Truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as there was. I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend.” Edwards also revealed that Greene was set to begin work on a new independent thriller, “Mascots,” alongside actor Mickey Rourke in January 2026, a project now left without one of its stars.
Key Immediate FAQs:
Q: What was Peter Greene’s cause of death?
A: The official cause of death has not been released. Police do not suspect foul play, and the medical examiner will determine the cause.
Q: What were his most famous roles?
A: He is best known for playing mobster Dorian Tyrell in “The Mask” and the pawn shop owner Zed in “Pulp Fiction.” He also had notable roles in “Training Day” and “Blue Streak.”
Q: How old was Peter Greene when he died?
A: He was 60 years old.
Q: Was he working on any new projects?
A: Yes, he was scheduled to begin filming an independent thriller called “Mascots” with Mickey Rourke in January 2026.
