Peter Greene, Acclaimed Actor of Pulp Fiction and The Mask, Found Dead at 66 in Lower East Side Apartment

Peter Greene, a celebrated character actor renowned for his compelling performances in 1990s classics such as Pulp Fiction and The Mask, was discovered deceased in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was 66. The New York Police Department responded to a 911 call at approximately 3:25 p.m. at a Clinton Street address, where Greene was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. His longtime manager, Gregg Edward, confirmed the actor’s passing, noting that Greene’s family—a sister and a brother—had been notified. While the cause of death remains undetermined pending a medical examiner’s report, authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected. The news, first reported by the New York Daily News, has left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a talent whose on-screen intensity and off-screen kindness defined his legacy.

The circumstances surrounding Greene’s death have stirred curiosity and sorrow. Neighbors reported hearing Christmas music emanating from his ground-floor apartment at 20 Clinton St. near Stanton St. for several days, beginning around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10. The continuous music prompted concern, and on Friday, building management sent a locksmith to gain access. A neighbor, who requested anonymity, described finding Greene lying face down with a facial injury and blood present, a scene that added to the somber mystery of his passing. A handwritten note on Greene’s door included the phrase “I’m still a Westie,” an apparent reference to the Irish-American gang from Hell’s Kitchen active in the 1970s and 1980s, hinting at a personal connection to his past. An autopsy conducted on Saturday, December 13, awaits further analysis to clarify the cause of death, with the medical examiner and police collaborating on a thorough assessment.

Greene’s manager, Gregg Edward, who had represented him for over a decade, spoke warmly of the actor’s character. “He was a unique individual,” Edward told the New York Daily News. “One of the most brilliant character actors on the planet. Had a really good heart. Cared about people. Truly one of the great actors of our generation.” Edward revealed that Greene had been preparing for surgery to remove a benign tumor near his lungs in the coming days, though he described the actor as otherwise active, often riding his bicycle around New York City. Their last conversation, on December 10, was routine, with Greene expressing mild nervousness about the procedure but otherwise seeming optimistic. “It was just a totally normal conversation,” Edward recalled to the New York Post, underscoring the shock of the loss.

Born on October 8, 1959, in Montclair, New Jersey, Peter Greene’s journey to stardom was marked by resilience and transformation. His early life was fraught with challenges; at 15, he ran away from home and lived on the streets of New York City, where he became entangled in drug use and dealing. In a 1996 interview with Premier magazine, Greene candidly shared how he hid in theaters to escape danger, a period that inadvertently sparked his love for acting. After seeking treatment following a suicide attempt in 1996, he channeled his energy into a career that would see him become one of Hollywood’s most memorable character actors. Trained at Lee Strasberg’s studio, Greene began landing roles in the early 1990s, with his breakout performances in Laws of Gravity (1992) and Clean, Shaven (1993) catching the attention of director Quentin Tarantino.

Greene’s role as Zed in Pulp Fiction (1994), a menacing security guard, cemented his reputation as a master of villainous characters. That same year, he portrayed Dorian Tyrell, the ruthless mobster opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask, introducing audiences to his chilling charisma. His filmography, spanning nearly 100 projects, includes standout roles in The Usual Suspects (1995) as Redfoot, Training Day (2001) as the corrupt detective Jeff alongside Denzel Washington, and Blue Streak (1999) with Martin Lawrence. Greene’s ability to inhabit complex, often morally ambiguous characters earned him praise, with a New York Times review of Clean, Shaven lauding his “compellingly anguished, volatile” performance. He also appeared in The Bounty Hunter (2010) with Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, and had recurring roles on television series like The Black Donnellys (2007), Life on Mars, and Chicago P.D. His most recent work included a role in the 2023 John Wick prequel series The Continental and an episode of Dope Thief in 2025.

Despite his on-screen intensity, those who knew Greene emphasized his softer side. “Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” Edward told NBC News. “But he also had a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold.” Filmmaker Cody Clarke paid tribute on X, calling Greene “a wonderful actor” whose work in the low-budget indie Laws of Gravity inspired countless filmmakers. Fans echoed this sentiment, with one writing on X, “As a Tarantino fan, every time I hear or see the quote ‘Zed’s dead, baby,’ it’ll mean something different now.” Another fan noted, “He played some of my favorite villains,” highlighting Greene’s knack for leaving a lasting impression despite often being a supporting player.

Greene’s career was far from over at the time of his death. He had eight projects in development, including a starring role in the horror-thriller 3 Days Rising alongside Mickey Rourke and Ice-T, and a part in the independent thriller Mascots, also with Rourke, set to begin production in January 2026. Additionally, Greene was co-producing and narrating a documentary, From the American People: The Withdrawal of USAID, alongside Jason Alexander and Kathleen Turner, driven by his passion for raising awareness about global impacts of U.S. policy changes. “Peter’s latest project was driven by his passion for shedding light on all the deaths that have happened around the world as a result of America dismantling USAID,” Edward told PEOPLE, underscoring Greene’s commitment to social causes.

His professional reputation was not without challenges. Edward acknowledged that Greene could be “tough to work with” due to his perfectionism and penchant for improvisation, which some directors embraced while others found difficult. “He wanted it right,” Edward said, noting that Greene’s dedication to authenticity often elevated his performances. In a 2011 interview on The Sissy Gamache Show, Greene admitted initially hesitating to take the Pulp Fiction role due to its intense content, fearing it might pigeonhole his career. However, Tarantino’s persistence and willingness to let Greene adjust the scene convinced him, resulting in one of his most iconic performances.

Greene’s personal struggles, particularly his history of addiction, were well-documented but did not define him. After his 1996 treatment, he spoke openly about overcoming his demons, a narrative Edward reinforced: “He fought his demons but overcame them.” His manager described him as a devoted friend who would “give you the shirt off his back,” a sentiment that contrasted sharply with the villains he portrayed. Greene’s brief marriage in the 1990s ended in divorce, and he had no children, leaving his siblings as his closest surviving family.

The actor’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media and industry circles. On X, fans shared clips of his memorable scenes, from Zed’s chilling lines in Pulp Fiction to Dorian’s menacing presence in The Mask. One user wrote, “Peter Greene was one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors,” while another lamented, “His villains were so real, you forgot he was acting.” Industry peers, including those involved in his upcoming projects, expressed devastation. Kerry Mondragón, writer-director of Mascots, was among those Edward notified, with the team reportedly “very upset” at the loss.

The mysterious circumstances of Greene’s passing—Christmas music playing for days, a cryptic note, and an unfulfilled surgical procedure—have fueled speculation, though official statements remain cautious. The New York Post reported that police updated Greene’s age to 66 after initially listing it as 60, a discrepancy possibly tied to the actor’s public persona. The medical examiner’s findings, expected in the coming weeks, will provide clarity, but for now, the focus remains on Greene’s contributions to film and television.

Peter Greene’s legacy is one of contradiction: a man who brought terrifying villains to life while harboring a generous spirit, a street survivor who became a cinematic force, and an actor whose brief appearances left indelible marks. His work in Pulp Fiction, The Mask, and beyond continues to resonate, with fans revisiting his performances to celebrate his talent. As the industry mourns, Greene’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities behind the screen—where brilliance and struggle often coexist. For those who admired him, his films remain a testament to a career that, though cut short, was nothing less than extraordinary.