Pulp Fiction and The Mask actor Peter Greene was found dead inside his Lower East Side, Manhattan apartment on Friday, December 12. He was 60 years old.
Police discovered Greene unresponsive inside his Clinton Street home at approximately 3:25PM, where he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement sources say the actor’s body showed “some injuries but it’s undetermined what caused the injuries”, reports TMZ. An official cause of death has yet to be released by the Medical Examiner’s office.
Grim Details From the Scene
The details surrounding Greene’s death paint a disturbing picture. Authorities reported that there were no immediate signs of foul play, though the official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.
Greene was found lying “face down” with a “facial injury” in what one neighbor described as a gory scene.
“Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere,” the neighbor told the New York Daily News.
In addition to the injuries, a mysterious handwritten note was found at the scene. The message read: “I’m still a Westie”, reportedly referring to the 1970s Irish‑American Hell’s Kitchen gang.
Peter Greene has passed away. Credit: Craig Barritt / Getty
Friends and Former Manager Speak Out
While Greene has been candid about his past struggles with drug use and a previous suicide attempt, those close to him insist there were no obvious signs he intended to harm himself.
Greene’s former manager Gregg Edwards told Page Six that in the days leading up to his death he found no indication Greene was suicidal. “Not at all,” he said, adding that Greene was in “good spirits on Wednesday”, two days before he was found.
Edwards also confirmed Greene’s death to multiple outlets and paid tribute to his client and friend.
“He was a terrific guy,” Edwards said per the New York Post. “Truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as there was. I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend.”
Greene starred in movies such as Pulp Fiction and The Mask. Credit: Al Pereira / Getty
Plans for New Year’s and Upcoming Projects
Those close to Greene also shared that he had recent plans that did not suggest self‑harm.
New York actor/musician Skam Dust told Page Six that Greene intended to spend New Year’s Eve with him and his friends Danny Diablo AKA Lord Ezec, and graffiti writer MQ.
“He was going to rent a truck limousine and Peter’s vision was that we were going to go bar hopping and restaurant hopping. He wasn’t suicidal,” he said.
According to Edwards, Greene had been preparing to begin work on an independent thriller titled Mascots, where he was set to star alongside Mickey Rourke.
Production was scheduled to begin in January. Edwards said he personally informed the film’s writer‑director, Kerry Mondragón, about Greene’s passing, adding that the news deeply affected those involved with the project. “They were very upset,” Edwards said.
Greene's sudden death has caused shock in the community. Credit: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty
A Career Defined by Intense Performances
Greene carved out a reputation in Hollywood for intense, unforgettable roles. His filmography included roughly 95 credits, with standout appearances in Pulp Fiction, Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak, and Training Day.
One of his most infamous roles was Zed, the sadistic security guard and serial killer in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Edwards pointed to Greene’s portrayal of mobster Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask as “arguably his best role”.
Edwards acknowledged that Greene could be challenging at times on set, but said it stemmed from his commitment to his work. “He worked with so many amazing actors and directors,” Edwards said.
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