Peter Greene: Pulp Fiction Star Found Dead Inside His NYC Apartment
The veteran actor was found dead inside his apartment in New York City's Lower East Side in the late afternoon on Friday, December 12.
Greene's longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed the tragic news
to The New York Post.
Police told the outlet that Greene's body was
found unresponsive inside his residence at 'around 3:25 p.m.' He was pronounced
dead at the scene.
While a cause of death has yet to be determined by the
medical examiner, police do not suspect foul play.
Edwards, who was his manager for over 10 years, told the
publication that Peter Greene who was known for playing iconic villains — 'was
a terrific guy.'
'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 said he was told music had been playing in Greene's apartment
for more than 24 hours, prompting a wellness check, according to the New York Daily News. The publication was
first to break the story about his passing.
He added that he had spoken with Greene earlier this
week.
Peter Greene, who also appeared in The Usual Suspects, was
set to begin production in January alongside Mickey Rourke on an independent
thriller titled Mascots.
Edwards said that when he informed the film's
writer-director, Kerry Mondragón, of the actor's death he broke down in tears.
'They were very upset,' he shared.
Peter Greene was also set to star in State of
Confusion, a crime-drama written and directed by E.B. Hughes.
Filming was scheduled for late fall 2026 in
Cape May, New Jersey, and parts of New York.
Hughes described the story as exploring a
strained father-son relationship.
Fans mourned the actor following the news of his passing,
with one writing on X, that Peter Greene was 'One of Hollywood’s most memorable
actors.'
'Any time Peter Greene popped up, you just knew he was
gonna play the scuzziest villain. Such a memorable character actor. RIP,'
another added.
'I used to be so scared of him when I was little watching
the Mask… RIP King.'
'Rest in peace to the man. He played some great villains
in my childhood.'
Edwards acknowledged that while Greene was sometimes seen
as difficult to work with, he was a perfectionist who wanted each performance
to feel 'right.'
Edwards added that Greene's performance as mobster Dorian
Tyrell alongside Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in 'The Mask' was 'arguably his
best role.'
'He fought his demons but overcame them' he added.
Greene also portrayed Zed, a sadistic security guard and
serial killer, in Tarantino's iconic 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
'Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter. But he also
had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as
gold,' Edwards told New York Daily News.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene ran away at 15 and
lived on the streets of New York City.
He later turned to drug use and eventually dealing, he told Premiere
magazine in 1996.
After a suicide attempt in March 1996, he
sought treatment for his addictions, according to the profile.
In 2007, Greene was arrested for possessing crack cocaine according to
the New York Daily News.
Greene didn't begin acting until his mid 20s,
and landed several film and television roles in the early 1990s.
With close to 95 acting credits, Greene's roles also
included Laws of Gravity (1992), Clean, Shaven (1993), Blue Streak (1999), and
Training Day (2001).
Greene is survived by a sister and a brother.
Notably, Tarantino's other famous collaborator Michael
Madsen — who starred in Reservoir Dogs (1992) — died in July, at the age of 67,
due to heart failure.
Greene, Tarantino and Madsen were pictured back in 2010
attending an after party for the Friars Club roast of Tarantino.
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