Actor Peter Greene, Known for Pulp Fiction and The Mask, Dies at 60

Peter Greene, the acclaimed American character actor best known for his chilling villain roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, died yesterday at the age of 60. His manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed that Greene was found unresponsive in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City on December 12, 2025. The cause of death has not yet been released, and authorities have said no foul play is suspected.

Greene rose to prominence in the early 1990s with a string of memorable performances. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he began his career with roles in films such as Laws of Gravity and Clean, Shaven before achieving widespread recognition in 1994 for his portrayal of Zed, the menacing security guard in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. That same year, he played Dorian Tyrell, the crime boss antagonist opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask, cementing his reputation as a compelling screen villain.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Greene appeared in nearly 100 film and television projects. His varied credits included roles in The Usual Suspects, Training Day, Blue Streak, and television series such as The Black Donnellys, Life on Mars, and Chicago P.D. He also portrayed characters in the John Wick prequel series The Continental and most recently appeared in an episode of Dope Thief in 2025.

Despite frequently being cast as hardened villains, those close to him painted a different picture of Greene’s personality. His manager described him as having a “gentle side” and a “heart as big as gold,” praising him as both a talented actor and a loyal friend.

At the time of his passing, Greene had several projects in development, including an independent thriller titled Mascots, set to star Mickey Rourke, and a documentary exploring changes in U.S. foreign aid policy.

Peter Greene is survived by his siblings, a brother and a sister. Friends, colleagues, and fans around the world have begun sharing tributes, remembering the actor for his impactful screen presence and the memorable characters he brought to life.