Peter Greene, Star of ‘Pulp Fiction,’ and ‘The Mask’ Dies at 60/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Peter Greene, best known for his villainous roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has died at age 60. The actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment, with no foul play suspected. He was scheduled for a tumor removal surgery and had two upcoming projects in the works.
Peter Greene Quick Looks
- Greene was found dead on December 12 in New York City.
- He was 60 and reportedly in good health aside from a benign tumor.
- Famous for roles in Pulp Fiction, The Mask, and Laws of Gravity.
- Played iconic villains but was known off-screen for his kind heart.
- No foul play suspected; cause of death not yet confirmed.
- Greene was scheduled for surgery near his lungs before his death.
- He was still active in film with two upcoming projects.
- Tributes flooded social media praising his memorable screen presence.
- His manager described him as strong, kind, and brilliant.
- Fans praised him as one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable character actors.
Deep Look: Peter Greene, Iconic Villain in ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Mask,’ Dies at 60
NEW YORK, NY — Actor Peter Greene, renowned for his unforgettable portrayals of villains in 1990s classics like Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has died at the age of 60. He was discovered in his Manhattan apartment on Friday, December 12, after neighbors alerted authorities when Christmas music played from his home for several days without a response.
Greene’s manager, Gregg Edward, confirmed the death to the New York Daily News. Though the cause of death remains unknown, authorities have ruled out foul play. Greene was reportedly preparing for surgery to remove a benign tumor near his lungs, but was otherwise believed to be in good health.
“It’s a shock,” Edward said. “He wasn’t that old. In pretty good shape for his age, rode his bike everywhere around New York.”
A Career Built on Intensity and Intrigue
Greene rose to fame in the 1990s with a string of compelling roles that showcased his ability to play edgy, menacing characters. His portrayal of Zed, the sadistic security guard in Pulp Fiction (1994), and Dorian Tyrell, the explosive villain opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask (1994), cemented his status as one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable character actors.
He also earned critical praise for his performance in the psychological thriller Clean, Shaven (1993) and appeared in films like The Bounty Hunter (2010) and Laws of Gravity (1992), a gritty indie film widely credited with influencing a generation of young filmmakers.
“Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” Edward told NBC News. “But he also had… a heart as big as gold.”
Final Projects and Legacy
At the time of his death, Greene had two upcoming projects:
- Mascots, a feature film starring Mickey Rourke
- From the American People: The Withdrawal of USAID, a documentary he was narrating
His manager described Greene as a “unique individual” and a “brilliant character actor” with a generous and thoughtful spirit, despite being widely cast in dark or villainous roles.
Fans and Fellow Artists Pay Tribute
News of Greene’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media platforms. Fans and colleagues praised his distinctive presence and his ability to dominate every scene he appeared in.
“Any time Peter Greene popped up, you just knew he was gonna play the scuzziest villain,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. “Such a memorable character actor. RIP.”
Another tribute read:
“RIP Peter Greene, a wonderful actor who, among other things, starred in one of the most important low-budget independent films ever made, Laws of Gravity. If you’ve never seen it, do yourself a favor.”
A third admirer wrote simply:
“He totally stole every scene in The Mask.”
And perhaps the sentiment that best captures his enduring legacy:
“Rest in peace, Peter Greene. One of Hollywood’s most memorable actors.”
While Greene’s characters often lived on the fringe, his real-life warmth, resilience, and dedication to his craft made him a respected figure in the industry and a beloved performer to audiences around the world.
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