For a generation of moviegoers, he was the face of cool, calculated menace. Whether he was terrorizing Jim Carrey in The Mask or delivering one of cinema’s most chilling lines in Pulp Fiction, Peter Greene possessed a screen presence that was impossible to ignore. Today, Hollywood mourns the loss of that intensity—and the gentle soul who lived behind it.
Peter Greene, the character actor best known for his unforgettable roles as Zed in Pulp Fiction and Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, has died. He was 60 years old.
A Quiet End to a Loud Career
The news broke late Friday, December 12, 2025, when Greene was discovered unresponsive in his apartment on New York City’s Lower East Side.
In a detail that is both poignant and heartbreaking, neighbors reportedly realized something was wrong only after hearing Christmas music playing continuously from his apartment for several days. When the building superintendent eventually performed a wellness check, Greene was found inside.
Police sources have confirmed that no foul play is suspected, and while an official Peter Greene cause of death is pending a medical examiner’s report, early indications suggest natural causes.
His longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed the passing with a statement that shattered the actor’s tough-guy persona:
“He was a terrific guy. Truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as gold. I’m going to miss him.”
The Man Behind the Menace
It is a strange irony of Hollywood that the men who play the best villains are often the kindest in real life. Actor Peter Greene was no exception.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene didn’t start acting until his mid-20s. He burst onto the scene in the early 90s with a raw, street-level energy that directors loved. While the world knows him for his blockbusters, critics often point to his role in Clean, Shaven (1993)—where he played a man struggling with schizophrenia—as proof of his immense, often underrated range.
However, 1994 changed everything. In a single year, he gave us two of the 90s’ most iconic bad guys:
- Dorian Tyrell (The Mask): The slick, ambitious mobster who envied the power of the mask.
- Zed (Pulp Fiction): The sadistic security guard whose scene with Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames remains one of the most shocking in film history.
Clearing the Confusion: Peter Green vs. Peter Greene
In the wake of the news, search trends have spiked for Peter Green, leading to some confusion. It is important to clarify that Peter Green (musician), the legendary founder of Fleetwood Mac, passed away in July 2020.
The man we lost this week is Peter Greene (actor), the distinct, pale-eyed character actor who defined 90s cinema villainy. If you are searching for Peter Greene movies or his legacy, you are looking for the star of The Usual Suspects (where he played Redfoot), not the guitarist.
Unfinished Business
Greene was far from retired. In fact, he was amid a career resurgence. He had recently been cast to star alongside Mickey Rourke in an independent thriller titled Mascots, which was scheduled to begin filming in January 2026.
Regarding Peter Greene net worth, estimates place it around $1.5 million. Unlike the massive paychecks of leading men, Greene was a working actor—a grinder who lived for the craft rather than the lifestyle. His wealth was modest by Hollywood standards, but his cultural capital was immense.
Final Thoughts
We often dehumanize the people we see on screen, especially the villains. We expect them to be invincible or scary. But the image of Peter Greene—a man who once terrified us as Zed—passing away quietly with Christmas music playing in the background serves as a somber reminder of our shared humanity.
He fought his battles, including well-documented struggles with addiction in the 90s, and he overcame them to keep working, keep creating, and keep entertaining us.
Rest in peace, Peter. Hollywood just got a little less interesting without you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the official Peter Greene cause of death? As of December 13, 2025, the official cause is pending a medical examiner’s report. However, police stated there were no signs of foul play, and he was found unresponsive in his apartment.
2. Which Peter Greene is dead? This news refers to Peter Greene the actor (born 1965), famous for The Mask and Pulp Fiction. It is not Peter Green the Fleetwood Mac guitarist, who died in 2020.
3. What was Peter Greene’s most famous role? Most fans debate between two 1994 roles: Zed in Pulp Fiction and Dorian Tyrell in The Mask. He also had a cult following for his role as Redfoot in The Usual Suspects.
4. Was Peter Greene working on any new movies? Yes. He was set to begin filming a movie called Mascots with Mickey Rourke in January 2026 and had a role in the upcoming film Clika.
5. What is Peter Greene’s net worth? At the time of his passing, Peter Greene’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $1.5 million, accrued through decades of steady character work in film and television.
