The film world is mourning the sudden loss of character actor Peter Greene, who has died at the age of 60. Best known for his chillingly intense performances in a handful of iconic 1990s films, Greene brought a raw, unnerving energy to the screen that made even his smallest roles unforgettable.
From Zed to a Grotesque Villain: 1990s Breakthrough
Greene's breakthrough came in 1994 with two wildly different but equally memorable parts. In Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, he played the depraved security guard Zed, whose assault on captives in a pawn shop basement ends with him being shot in the groin. The character's demise led to Bruce Willis's iconic line: "Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead." Greene initially hesitated, fearing the role would embarrass his parents, but took it on with their blessing.
That same year, he appeared as the ruthless criminal Dorian Tyrell in the blockbuster comedy The Mask, starring Jim Carrey. In the film's climax, Greene's character dons the magical mask, transforming not into a cartoonish hero but a grotesque, red-eyed monster. The Mask grossed over $351 million globally, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 1994. Combined with Pulp Fiction's $213 million worldwide haul, Greene's face became familiar to millions.
The Actor Behind the Intensity: Early Work and Acclaim
Long before his mainstream fame, Greene delivered a performance of staggering commitment in Lodge Kerrigan's 1993 indie drama Clean, Shaven. Made on a shoestring budget of $60,000, the film saw Greene play a man with schizophrenia searching for his daughter. His jittery, tormented portrayal, which included graphically realistic scenes of self-harm, caused audiences at the Sundance Film Festival to faint. The performance was hailed by directors like Steven Soderbergh and John Waters for its raw power.
His film debut was actually in Nick Gomez's 1992 film Laws of Gravity, where he acted alongside a future Sopranos star, Edie Falco. Greene's ability to elevate minor roles earned him praise; Christopher McQuarrie, writer of The Usual Suspects (1995), called him "a million-dollar day player." He also had a small role in the acclaimed thriller Training Day (2001).
A Turbulent Life and Enduring Legacy
Born Peter Green in New Jersey (he later added an 'e'), he left high school early and fell into a dangerous life dealing drugs in New York, which included having his home firebombed. A chance meeting with acting coach Penny Allen steered him towards independent film.
Success, however, exacerbated struggles with substance abuse. In a candid 1996 Premiere magazine interview he approved, his former assistant detailed his addiction issues, which sometimes affected his work on set. Despite this, directors revered his talent. Amy Holden Jones, who directed him in The Rich Man's Wife (1996), called him "a mercurial presence... scary as hell."
Greene continued acting in later years, with a notable cameo in Michael Almereyda's unconventional 2020 biopic Tesla. He was often his own harshest critic, stating he only watched his own cameos because "you see the mistakes."
Peter Greene, born 8 October 1965, died on 12 December 2025. He is survived by his son, Ryder, a brother, John, and a sister, Mary-Anne.
