Peter Greene, the actor known for roles in “The Mask” and “Pulp Fiction,” was found dead yesterday afternoon in his apartment on New York’s Lower East Side. The news was confirmed by his longtime manager to the New York Post.
Iconic roles between the 90s and Hollywood
Peter Greeneknown for playing characters “bad” in the 90s, he had 60 years old. The blue-eyed actor is famous for having participated in some Hollywood classics: in particular, his role is Zed, the sadistic security guard and serial killer in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 hit, ‘Pulp Fiction’.
Greene was found unconscious in his apartment Clinton Street around 3.25pm yesterday and it was declared dead at the scene. The news was confirmed by the police and Greg Edwardshis manager for over a decade.
The manager’s memory: “An extraordinary actor”
Police said no arson is suspected, but that the cause of death will be established by the medical examiner. “He was a fantastic guy,” Edwards said. “Truly one of the greatest actors of our generation. He had a huge heart. I will miss it. He was a great friend.”
The shocked spokesperson said Greene, who also appeared in “The Usual Suspects,” was about to begin filming an independent thriller with Mickey Rourke called “Mascots” in January.
Edwards noted that although his client had a reputation for being a difficult person to work with, he was a perfectionist who gave his all to every job and wanted his performance to be simply “perfect.”
“He worked with so many amazing actors and directors,” Edwards said, adding that his portrayal of ruthless mobster Dorian Tyrell, opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in “The Mask,” was “probably his best role.”
A life marked by personal difficulties
Greene, originally from Montclair, New Jersey, ran away from home at 15 and lived on the streets of the Big Apple, where he turned to drug use and eventually dealing, as he told Premier magazine in 1996. After attempting suicide in March 1996, he sought treatment for his addiction. With around 95 films to his credit, Greene has also starred in “Laws of Gravity”, “Clean, Shaven”, “Blue Streak” and “Training Day”.