Peter Greene, the prolific character actor best known for playing chilling villains in iconic films like Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has died at age 60. His death was confirmed on December 13 by his manager, Gregg Edwards, who said Greene was found dead the previous day in his apartment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Greene carved out a unique place in Hollywood with intense, unforgettable performances, earning praise from fans and peers alike. From his breakout roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction to his work in The Mask, Training Day, and dozens of other films and TV shows, he was known for bringing depth and ferocity to every role he took on.
Below, find out everything you need to know about the late actor.
Greene was best known for portraying Zed, the disturbing pawnshop owner, in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction. Although the role was relatively brief, Greene’s performance left a lasting impact, becoming one of the film’s most unsettling moments and solidifying his reputation as a compelling character actor.
In a 2016 interview with Sissy Gamache, Greene recalled having mixed feelings about taking on the role. While he was initially excited to be cast, his enthusiasm faded after reading the script. “I didn’t want to do that,” he said of playing a rapist who targets Marsellus Wallace and Butch Coolidge, portrayed by Ving Rhames and Bruce Willis. “The way it was written was just brutal. That was a hard thing to do.”
His manager, Edwards, described Greene as a “unique individual,” praising his on-screen presence and talent. “His look and his ability to play the bad guy was unmatched,” Edwards said. He added, “One of the most brilliant character actors on the planet. Had a really good heart. Cared about people.”
Over the course of his career, Greene appeared in dozens of films and television shows, often portraying intense or morally complex characters. In addition to Pulp Fiction, he was known for roles in The Mask, Training Day, Blue Streak, Clean, Shaven, and Laws of Gravity. He also made appearances on TV series including The Black Donnellys and Just Shoot Me!, building a steady résumé throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
