Peter Greene, famed for The Mask and Pulp Fiction, was found dead at 60 in his New York apartment. Police do not suspect foul play, and the cause of death remains under investigation.
Peter Greene, the veteran character actor best known for his villainous roles in The Mask and Pulp Fiction, has died at the age of 60. He was found unresponsive inside his Lower East Side apartment on Friday afternoon and pronounced dead at the scene.
Circumstances of His Death
- Greene was discovered after neighbors reported hearing Christmas music playing continuously from his apartment for more than a day without response.
- Police confirmed that he was found around 3:25 p.m. on December 12.
- No foul play is suspected, and the official cause of death is pending medical examiner results.
- His longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, described the news as a shock, noting he had spoken with Greene earlier in the week.
Career Highlights
- Greene rose to fame in the 1990s, portraying Dorian Tyrell, the main antagonist opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask (1994).
- He cemented his reputation as a chilling screen presence with his role as Zed, the sadistic security guard in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994).
- Other notable credits include Training Day, Judgment Night, The Usual Suspects, and Clean, Shaven, where critics praised his haunting performance as a schizophrenic man.
- Greene was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most compelling character actors, often embodying villains with unnerving realism.
Tributes
- Manager Gregg Edwards called Greene “one of the most brilliant character actors on the planet” and remembered him as a man with a good heart who cared deeply about people.
- Fans and colleagues have taken to social media to mourn his passing, celebrating his legacy as a performer who left an indelible mark on 1990s cinema.
Legacy
Peter Greene’s death closes the chapter on a career that defined the archetype of the unforgettable movie villain. While his on-screen characters were terrifying, those who knew him personally describe him as kind, thoughtful, and deeply human. His sudden passing leaves unanswered questions, but his work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.