Peter Greene, the intense and unforgettable character actor renowned for his chilling portrayals of villains, passed away on December 12, 2025, at his home in New York City. He was 60 years old.
Born Peter Green in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene discovered his passion for acting in his mid-20s. He quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most compelling screen antagonists. His breakout year was 1994, when he delivered two iconic performances that cemented his legacy. In Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece Pulp Fiction, Greene played Zed, the sadistic security guard whose brief but harrowing appearance left an indelible mark on audiences. That same year, he portrayed the ruthless mobster Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, opposite Jim Carrey, bringing menace to the comic book-inspired blockbuster.
Greene’s talent extended beyond villainy. In the independent film Clean, Shaven (1993), he gave a raw, acclaimed performance as a man grappling with schizophrenia, earning Best Actor at the Taormina International Film Festival. His versatility shone in roles across genres, including the deceptive corrupt cop in The Usual Suspects (1995), a narcotics officer in Denzel Washington’s Training Day (2001), and appearances in films like Judgment Night, Blue Streak, and The Bounty Hunter. On television, he recurred in series such as The Black Donnellys, Life on Mars, and Chicago P.D.
Despite his on-screen intensity, those who knew him described Greene as a warm, generous soul with a heart of gold. His longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, called him “one of the great actors of our generation” and noted, “Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter.” Greene openly battled personal demons, including addiction in the 1990s, but overcame them to continue a steady career. At the time of his death, he was preparing for upcoming projects, including an independent thriller Mascots with Mickey Rourke.
Greene is survived by a brother and a sister. His sudden passing has shocked fans and colleagues alike, leaving a void in cinema. Peter Greene’s performances captivated and terrified, reminding us of the power of nuanced character acting. He will be deeply missed.
