Peter Greene's Death Officially Ruled an Accident by Medical Examiner
The New York City Chief Medical Examiner's office has officially determined that actor Peter Greene's death was accidental, resolving a two-month investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing. Greene, known for his memorable villain roles in films like The Mask and Pulp Fiction, was found deceased in his Lower East Side apartment on December 12 at age 60.
Medical Findings Reveal Specific Cause of Death
According to the official report released on Wednesday, Greene died from a gunshot wound to the left axilla with injury to the brachial artery. This medical determination comes after initial uncertainty in December, when law enforcement sources told media outlets that Greene had visible injuries but the cause remained undetermined. The classification of the manner of death as an accident has raised questions, given the violent nature of the injury.
Discovery and Initial Investigation Details
Police were initially contacted after neighbors reported loud music playing continuously from Greene's apartment for several days. Officers conducted a welfare check and used a locksmith to gain entry, where they discovered Greene face down on the floor with significant facial injuries and blood at the scene. A handwritten note was also found inside the apartment, reportedly stating I'm still a Westie—a possible reference to the Irish-American gang that operated in Hell's Kitchen during the 1970s.
One neighbor provided a graphic account to the New York Daily News, describing the scene as Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere... The discovery prompted an immediate investigation, though authorities initially stated they did not suspect foul play.
Greene's Career and Personal Struggles
Greene's manager of over ten years, Gregg Edwards, remembered the actor as a terrific guy and truly one of the great actors of our generation. Edwards acknowledged Greene's reputation for being difficult to work with but attributed this to his perfectionism and desire for each performance to feel right.
Edwards highlighted Greene's performance as mobster Dorian Tyrell in The Mask alongside Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz as arguably his best role. Greene also portrayed the sadistic security guard Zed in Quentin Tarantino's iconic 1994 film Pulp Fiction, cementing his reputation for playing compelling villains.
Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter. But he also had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold, Edwards told the New York Daily News.
Upcoming Projects and Personal History
At the time of his death, Greene was preparing for multiple film projects. He was set to begin production in January on an independent thriller titled Mascots alongside Mickey Rourke. The film's writer-director, Kerry Mondragón, was reportedly devastated upon learning of Greene's passing. Another project, the crime-drama State of Confusion written and directed by E.B. Hughes, was scheduled for filming in late fall 2026 in Cape May, New Jersey, and parts of New York.
Greene's personal life included significant struggles. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he ran away at age 15 and lived on the streets of New York City. He later turned to drug use and dealing, as he revealed in a 1996 interview with Premiere magazine. After a suicide attempt in March 1996, he sought treatment for his addictions. In 2007, he was arrested for possessing crack cocaine according to the New York Daily News.
Legacy and Survivors
Despite his late start in acting—beginning in his mid-twenties—Greene accumulated nearly 95 acting credits across film and television. His notable roles included appearances in Laws of Gravity (1992), Clean, Shaven (1993), Blue Streak (1999), and Training Day (2001). He is survived by a sister and a brother.
The accidental ruling brings some closure to the investigation, though questions may remain about the specific circumstances that led to the fatal gunshot wound. The medical examiner's determination contrasts with the initial uncertainty and highlights the complex nature of investigating celebrity deaths in high-profile locations like New York City.
