Peter Greene, the character actor renowned for portraying memorable villains in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films of the 1990s, was found dead in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City on Friday, Dec. 12. He was 60 years old.
Manager Gregg Edwards confirmed the death but did not disclose a cause. Police responded to a Clinton Street address at 3:25 pm Friday following a wellness check, and EMS declared Greene dead at the scene. Police do not suspect foul play.
Music had been playing in the apartment for over 24 hours, prompting the wellness check.
“Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” Edwards said.
Greene became a fixture in 1990s cinema through his intense portrayals of criminals and antagonists. He played Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.” That same year, he took on the role of Dorian opposite Jim Carrey in “The Mask.”
In 1995, Greene appeared as Redfoot in “The Usual Suspects.” The character appears in a pivotal sequence that sets the film’s complex plot in motion.
Greene continued his streak of portraying corrupt law enforcement and criminal figures in the 2001 film “Training Day” alongside Denzel Washington. He played Jeff.
Before his commercial success, Greene earned critical acclaim for his performance in the 1993 independent film “Clean Shaven,” in which he played a man with schizophrenia suspected of murder. The role showcased his range beyond the villainous characters that would define much of his career.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, on October 8, 1965, Greene started acting in his 20s while living in New York City. Over his career, he accumulated nearly 100 film and television credits.
At the time of his death, Greene was working on a documentary titled “From the American People,” which focused on the withdrawal of funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Greene also had plans to appear in an upcoming independent film titled “Mascots” alongside Mickey Rourke.
Throughout his career, Greene worked with some of the film industry’s most respected directors and actors. His collaborations spanned multiple genres, though he remained best known for his ability to bring depth and menace to antagonistic roles.
Greene is survived by his son Ryder, who is 16 years old, as well as a sister and a brother.
Greene’s performances in “Pulp Fiction” and “The Mask” remain cultural touchstones of 1990s cinema, with both films achieving lasting popularity and critical recognition. His work helped define an era when character actors could leave indelible marks through supporting roles in major studio productions and independent films alike.
