Peter Greene, the intense and unforgettable character actor best known for his roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has passed away at the age of 60. Greene died on Friday, December 12, in New York City. His longtime manager, Gregg Edward, confirmed the news to the New York Post. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
“He was a terrific guy,” Edward said. “Truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as there was. I’m going to miss him.”
A Career Defined by Fearless Performances
Greene carved out a unique space in Hollywood as an actor who could make audiences uneasy without saying much at all. He was often cast as villains, but his performances went beyond stereotypes. There was always something raw, unpredictable, and human beneath the menace.
He became a familiar face to moviegoers in 1994, appearing in two now-iconic films. In The Mask, he played the sinister Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. That same year, he shocked audiences as Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, a role that cemented his reputation as a fearless performer.
From New Jersey to Quentin Tarantino
Born in New Jersey, Greene did not follow a typical Hollywood path. He began acting in his mid-20s after training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. His breakout came with the 1993 indie drama Clean, Shaven, a performance that caught the attention of Quentin Tarantino.
That recognition led directly to Pulp Fiction, and from there, Greene became a go-to actor for intense supporting roles throughout the 1990s. Films like The Usual Suspects, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, and Blue Streak showcased his ability to command the screen, even in brief appearances.
Continued Work Across Film and Television
Greene remained active well into the 2000s, appearing in films such as Training Day, End Game, Brothers in Arms, and Fist of the Warrior. He also made appearances on television, with roles in Hawaii Five-O, Justified, and The Black Donnellys.
According to his manager, Greene was preparing to begin work on an upcoming project titled Mascots, co-starring Mickey Rourke.
Tributes From Fans and Fellow Movie Lovers
Following news of his death, tributes poured in across social media. Fans remembered him as one of the most memorable character actors of the 1990s, praising the impact of his performances in Pulp Fiction and The Mask.
Greene was found unresponsive in his Clinton Street apartment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. As fans continue to revisit his work, his legacy lives on through the unforgettable characters he brought to life.
