New York City – Peter Greene, the actor celebrated for his portrayals of villains and criminals, including his unforgettable role as Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, has died at the age of 60. Greene was found dead on Friday at his Lower East Side apartment in New York City, according to his manager, Gregg Edwards. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Greene’s death was first reported by the New York Daily News. In a statement to the press, Edwards remembered Greene as an actor who excelled at playing dark, complex characters while also possessing a softer, compassionate side that few ever saw. “Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” Edwards said. “But he also had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold.”
Edwards described the circumstances surrounding Greene’s death, saying that music had been playing in his apartment for over 24 hours, prompting a wellness check. He added that he had spoken with Greene earlier in the week, underscoring the suddenness of the actor’s passing.
Born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene began acting in his 20s after moving to New York City. He quickly carved out a niche for himself as a character actor, known for bringing intensity, unpredictability, and depth to the roles he played.
Greene first gained widespread recognition in 1993 with the film Clean, Shaven, in which he portrayed a man living with schizophrenia who becomes entangled in a murder investigation and at times resorts to self-mutilation. The New York Times praised his performance, writing that Greene’s portrayal “turned the role he played into a compellingly anguished, volatile character, someone who didn’t even have to slice himself up to get an audience’s attention.”
Hollywood Mourns Peter Greene, Actor From ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Mask,’ Dies at 60
In 1994, Greene delivered one of his most iconic performances as Zed in Pulp Fiction, playing a sadistic rapist and security guard who terrorizes Mia Wallace and Butch Coolidge. The film, directed by Quentin Tarantino, cemented Greene’s reputation for portraying chilling antagonists with authenticity and intensity. That same year, he also appeared as the villain Dorian in the Jim Carrey comedy The Mask, demonstrating his versatility by stepping into a larger-than-life, comic book-inspired role.
Greene continued to build a notable career with supporting roles in acclaimed films such as The Usual Suspects and Training Day. In The Usual Suspects, he played Redfoot, the fence who informs the criminal crew of a lucrative heist that turns deadly. His performance added a layer of realism to the film’s intricate web of deception and crime.
In Training Day, Greene portrayed Jeff, a detective caught in a morally complex scenario orchestrated by Denzel Washington’s corrupt officer Alonzo Harris. In one of the film’s memorable sequences, Greene’s character consents to being shot in his bulletproof vest to stage a crime scene, uttering the line, “Kiss me, baby,” just before the shots are fired. The scene remains a standout example of Greene’s ability to convey tension and human vulnerability, even in the midst of a violent storyline.
Over the course of his career, Greene became a respected figure in Hollywood for his willingness to take on challenging and often dark roles. His performances brought depth and nuance to characters that might otherwise have been one-dimensional, and he left a lasting mark on films that continue to be celebrated by audiences around the world.
Greene is survived by a sister and a brother, according to his manager. While his passing marks the end of a remarkable career, his work continues to influence and inspire both actors and fans alike.
From his early days in New York City to starring in cult classics and mainstream films, Peter Greene built a legacy as one of the most compelling character actors of his generation. Though often cast as a villain, those who knew him personally recall a man with a kind heart and a deep passion for his craft, proving that behind the memorable on-screen intensity was a gentle and generous individual.
Greene’s contributions to cinema, particularly his unforgettable performances in Pulp Fiction, The Mask, Clean, Shaven, The Usual Suspects, and Training Day, ensure that his presence will be felt for years to come, both on screen and in the memories of those who admired his work.
Source- NBCNEWS