Who is Peter Greene?

Early Life and the Path to Acting

Peter Greene was born Peter Green on May 10, 1959, in Montclair, New Jersey, a town that would serve as the starting point for one of film’s most distinctive character actors. Growing up outside the Hollywood spotlight, Greene was not surrounded by industry privilege; his life began far from the red carpets of Los Angeles, rooted instead in the Northeast. Details about his formative years are less documented than his career milestones, but what is known is that Greene didn’t enter acting through traditional routes: he did not graduate from elite drama schools or immediately land prestigious stage roles. Instead, he carved his way into the industry through grit, persistence, and a knack for inhabiting intense, challenging parts.

By his late twenties, Greene was pursuing acting full-time, immersing himself in the craft and steadily building a resume of stage and screen roles that would demonstrate his range and fearless approach to character work.

Breakthrough and 1990s Film Career

Greene’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s as an actor whose presence could immediately command attention. His earliest significant film roles included Laws of Gravity (1992) and Clean, Shaven (1993). In Clean, Shaven, Greene delivered a startling portrayal of a schizophrenic man suspected in a murder case – a role that highlighted his willingness to engage with psychologically complex, unpredictable characters long before he became widely known.

However, it was 1994 that truly altered the trajectory of Greene’s career, launching him into broader public recognition through two major Hollywood films released that year:

The Mask – a blockbuster comedy starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz – in which Greene played the merciless mob boss Dorian Tyrell, a thug juxtaposed sharply against Carrey’s slapstick hero.
Pulp Fiction – director Quentin Tarantino’s now-classic crime film – in which Greene portrayed the sadistic character Zed, a security guard whose chilling demeanor and intense screen presence became one of the movie’s most talked-about roles.

Both performances cemented Greene as a go-to character actor for dark, villainous parts – performances that were raw, unpredictable, and visceral, and that have endured in pop culture memory. While Pulp Fiction became a global phenomenon, Greene’s portrayal of Zed, though brief, remains infamous for its intensity and emotional impact.

Beyond these two iconic roles, Greene appeared in a steady stream of films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s: Judgment Night (1993), Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), The Usual Suspects (1995), Blue Streak (1999), and Training Day (2001), among others. Each character was different in surface detail, but all had one thing in common: Greene brought a palpable, unforgettable energy to the screen.

Television and Continued Work

Greene’s career extended into television as well. He appeared in series such as The Black Donnellys, Life on Mars (2009), and Chicago P.D., as well as more recent projects such as The Continental (2023). His ability to transition between the big screen and the small screen demonstrated his adaptability as an actor and his endurance in an industry that often labels and confines character actors.

Even in his later years, Greene continued to seek out roles that challenged him and showcased his unique presence. He appeared in newer TV series and films up through 2025, staying active in his craft and demonstrating a dedication to performance regardless of the size or prominence of the role.

Struggles With Addiction and Personal Challenges

While Greene’s on-screen persona often embraced darkness, his off-screen life was marked by very real struggles. Throughout the 1990s, he battled addiction to heroin and cocaine – hardships that affected both his personal life and career trajectory. In 2007, Greene was arrested for possession of crack cocaine, drawing public attention to the ongoing challenges he faced with substance abuse. These difficulties contributed to a reputation for volatility in Hollywood, with some industry professionals noting that his personal struggles occasionally made him difficult to work with.

Yet despite these challenges, Greene persevered. He continued to work steadily, and many who knew him or worked with him described a complex man: tough and intense on screen, but deeply affectionate, generous, and caring in his personal relationships. Over time, he worked toward sobriety and remained committed to acting, even as he confronted the long shadows of his earlier years.

Later Projects, Advocacy, and Final Years

In the lead-up to his death in late 2025, Greene was involved in several projects that reflected both his continued creative energy and his evolving interests.

Among these was a documentary titled From the American People: The Withdrawal of USAID, aimed at exploring the consequences of cuts to international aid. At the time of his passing, Greene was actively working on that project, demonstrating a desire to engage with real-world issues beyond the traditional confines of film and television storytelling.

He was also slated to star in an independent thriller titled Mascots, opposite actor Mickey Rourke. These collaborations indicated that Greene was still respected and sought after by fellow artists – an affirmation of his enduring presence in the acting community.

Circumstances of His Death

Peter Greene’s death in December 2025 was met with shock and sorrow from fans and colleagues around the world. His manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed that Greene was found deceased in his Lower East Side apartment in New York City on December 12, 2025 – just a few weeks before Christmas.

Initially, the cause of death was not disclosed, prompting much speculation. Neighbors had reported hearing music continually playing from his apartment for over 24 hours, leading to a wellness check and the discovery of his body.

In February 2026, the New York City Chief Medical Examiner revealed that Greene’s death was caused by an accidental gunshot wound to the left axilla, with injury to the brachial artery. The wound was self-inflicted but ruled accidental, a tragic and unexpected detail that added complexity to understanding his final moments.

Despite initial uncertainty, authorities found no evidence of foul play. Greene’s manager and those close to him remembered him not as the villainous characters he often portrayed, but as a man with a “heart as big as gold” and a deeply compassionate spirit.

Legacy and Impact

Peter Greene’s legacy is impossible to define in simple terms. He was not a household name like many Hollywood stars, yet his work profoundly influenced the films and shows in which he appeared. For countless fans, his portrayal of Zed in Pulp Fiction remains a defining moment of 1990s cinema – a role remembered for its intensity, shock value, and unforgettable presence. Similarly, his work as Dorian Tyrell in The Mask demonstrated his ability to balance menace with controlled theatricality, serving as the perfect foil to Jim Carrey’s manic energy.

Greene was a quintessential character actor: someone whose face and performance style could anchor a film’s tension, enrich a scene’s emotional texture, and elevate the material around him. He brought a distinct authenticity to every role, whether it was a villain, a troubled soul, or a gritty supporting figure in a crime drama.