Peter Greene, the unforgettable film villain known for Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has died at 60

14 December 2025

Peter Greene in 2012. CREDIT: Charles Norfleet/FilmMagic

Peter Greene, the quintessential character actor whose intense portrayals of villains made him a memorable presence in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films of the 1990s and beyond, has died at the age of 60. His body was found on December 12, 2025 in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City, his manager confirmed, and authorities do not believe foul play was involved though the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Greene’s passing marks the end of a career that spanned more than three decades and nearly 100 screen credits, and it has prompted an outpouring of admiration and reflection on his unusual talent and the deep mark he left on cinema.

Born Peter Green on October 8, 1965 in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene’s life and career were shaped by both struggle and resilience. He was one of three siblings and ran away from home at age 15, spending time without a permanent address before eventually discovering acting in his twenties. His early life was marked by hardship and brushes with addiction, including battles with heroin and cocaine in his twenties and thirties, but he found a path forward in performance that showcased his remarkable intensity and commitment.

Greene first began attracting attention in the early 1990s with roles in independent films such as Laws of Gravity (1992) and Clean, Shaven (1993), the latter earning him critical praise for his portrayal of a man struggling with schizophrenia. He won Best Actor at the Taormina Film Festival for that performance, a harbinger of the impact his work would have in more mainstream productions. The grit and depth he brought to these early parts caught the attention of filmmakers and audiences alike, setting the stage for the breakout roles that would define his career.

The year 1994 proved to be transformative for Greene. That year he appeared in two films that would cement his place in pop culture history. In Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Greene portrayed Zed, a menacing security guard whose chilling screen presence became an indelible part of the film’s tapestry. Tarantino’s eclectic use of character actors had made his films feel textured and alive, and Greene’s contribution to Pulp Fiction helped solidify the movie’s status as a landmark of 1990s cinema. In the same year, he appeared as the ruthless mafia boss Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, starring opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. That performance demonstrated his range and ability to bring life to characters who could both terrify and fascinate.

Over the following years Greene continued to work steadily, often portraying antagonists or deeply flawed figures in a variety of genres. He appeared in The Usual Suspects (1995), Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), Judgment Night (1993), Blue Streak (1999), Training Day (2001), The Rich Man’s Wife and The Bounty Hunter. On television, he had roles in series such as The Black Donnellys, Life on Mars, Chicago P.D. and more recently in the 2023 series The Continental: From the World of John Wick and an episode of Dope Thief earlier in 2025. His work across both film and television illustrated a dedication to his craft and an ability to inhabit compelling, often dark characters with authenticity.

Despite the power of his on-screen villainy, colleagues and friends often spoke of a different side to Greene off camera. His manager, Gregg Edwards, described him as having “a heart as big as gold,” and emphasized that beneath the intensity he brought to his roles was a deeply generous and warm-hearted person. Those who knew him personally have shared memories of his humour, loyalty and the ease with which he could shift from intimidating screen antagonist to a kind and thoughtful friend in real life.

In the days leading up to his death, neighbors in Greene’s Manhattan building reportedly heard music playing continuously for more than 24 hours, prompting concern and ultimately the wellness check that led to the discovery of his body. Police and emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene, and while no signs of foul play were evident, the exact cause of his death will be determined by the medical examiner. As of now, official details on what led to his passing remain limited.

Greene’s legacy is not defined solely by his most infamous roles but also by the breadth of his career and the way he elevated every project he touched. His presence in Pulp Fiction and The Mask helped anchor those films in a particular era of genre experimentation in Hollywood, and his performances in smaller independent films demonstrated his commitment to nuanced storytelling. Actors of Greene’s calibre, who could pivot from mainstream blockbusters to niche dramatic work with equal intensity, are rare, and his absence will be felt in both spheres of cinema.

He is survived by a son, Ryder, as well as a brother and sister, who now carry on his memory. For many fans and fellow artists, Greene’s work will continue to resonate, a reminder of a performer who brought to life characters that were fearsome, complex and unforgettable. As tributes pour in from across the entertainment world, the narrative of his life reflects both the challenges he overcame and the indelible mark he made on film and television.