Peter Greene, a distinguished actor known for his roles in acclaimed films such as “The Mask” and “Pulp Fiction,” was found dead in his Lower East Side apartment on Friday afternoon. His manager, Gregg Edwards, who had worked with Greene for over ten years, confirmed the news. Greene, who had made a name for himself playing villains in 1990s cinema, was 60 years old at the time of his passing.
Greene was discovered unresponsive in his Clinton Street home around 3:25 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police reports and Edwards. While authorities have ruled out any criminal activity, the exact cause of death is yet to be determined by the medical examiner.
In his tribute to Greene, Edwards described him as a “terrific guy” and “truly one of the great actors of our generation.” He added, “His heart was as big as there was. I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend.” Greene, who also had a notable role in “The Usual Suspects,” was scheduled to begin filming an independent thriller, “Mascots,” alongside Mickey Rourke in January.
Upon hearing the news of Greene’s death, the film’s writer-director, Kerry Mondragón, was reportedly devastated. Edwards, who resides in California, was the one to deliver the tragic news to Mondragón. Despite Greene’s reputation for being difficult to work with, Edwards emphasized that he was a perfectionist dedicated to delivering the best performance possible.
Greene’s career encompassed a variety of roles, collaborating with numerous esteemed actors and directors. His portrayal of the merciless mobster Dorian Tyrell, opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in “The Mask,” was considered one of his standout performances.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene had a turbulent personal life. He left home at 15 and lived on the streets of New York City, where he turned to drugs and eventually dealing. After a suicide attempt in March 1996, he sought treatment for his addictions.
Greene’s filmography includes some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. He played Zed, the sadistic security guard and serial killer in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 hit “Pulp Fiction.” With nearly 95 credits to his name, Greene also starred in “Laws of Gravity,” “Clean, Shaven,” “Blue Streak,” and “Training Day.”