Hollywood's iconic villain Peter Greene found dead

Peter Greene, the acclaimed actor recognized for his roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, has passed away at the age of 60. He was found dead at his New York City apartment on Friday, according to his manager, though the cause of death has not been disclosed. Authorities have confirmed that no foul play is suspected.

Greene earned widespread acclaim for his portrayals of complex villains, most notably Zed, the security guard in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 classic Pulp Fiction, and Dorian in Jim Carrey’s The Mask, released the same year. His manager, Gregg Edwards, told NBC News, “Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter. But he also had a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold.” Edwards added, “He was a terrific guy. Truly one of the great actors of our generation. I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend.”

In 1994, Greene won the Best Actor award at the Taormina Film Festival for his performance in Lodge Kerrigan’s Clean, Shaven, where he portrayed a man living with schizophrenia. This success paved the way for roles in films such as The Usual Suspects, Under Siege 2, and Training Day alongside Denzel Washington. His other credits include Judgment Night, The Rich Man’s Wife, Blue Streak, and The Bounty Hunter.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene is survived by a sister and a brother. In a rare 2011 interview, Greene revealed that he initially turned down the role in Pulp Fiction, citing concerns about its content. He told The Sissy Gamache Show, “When I got the script, I was thoroughly disappointed… I didn’t think it was a great career move.” However, Tarantino continued to pursue him, eventually allowing Greene to adjust the scene to his preference, leading to one of his most memorable performances.

Peter Greene’s career was defined by his ability to bring depth to dark, challenging roles, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood and audiences worldwide.