The film world is mourning the sudden loss of actor Peter Greene, who has died at the age of 60. Greene was best known for bringing a uniquely unnerving intensity to a handful of iconic 1990s films, leaving an indelible mark on cinema despite often appearing in supporting roles.
Unforgettable Villainy in 90s Blockbusters
Greene's breakthrough came in 1994 with two major hits. In Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, he delivered a memorably depraved performance as Zed, the security guard whose shocking actions in a pawn shop basement lead to the famous line: "Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead." Greene initially hesitated, fearing the role would embarrass his parents, but took it on with their blessing.
The same year, he played a broader but equally menacing villain, Dorian Tyrell, in the smash-hit comedy The Mask opposite Jim Carrey. In the film's climax, Greene's character dons the magical mask, transforming into a grotesque figure who is ultimately flushed away in a giant toilet. The Mask grossed over $351 million globally, ensuring Greene's face became familiar to millions.
The Raw Talent Behind the Typecasting
While often cast as criminals and villains, Greene's most critically acclaimed work showcased a far deeper talent. His film debut was in Lodge Kerrigan's uncompromising drama Clean, Shaven (1993), a role he secured without a headshot or resume, purely on his powerful presence. He played a man with schizophrenia searching for his daughter, with his jittery, visceral performance—including scenes of self-harm—proving so intense it caused viewers at Sundance to faint.
Film-makers held him in high esteem. Christopher McQuarrie, writer of The Usual Suspects (1995)—in which Greene had a small role—called him "a million-dollar day player." Director Amy Holden Jones noted he was "scary as hell," while Kerrigan praised his "enormous" range, fearing he would be typecast.
A Turbulent Life Off-Screen
Born Peter Green in New Jersey (he later added an 'e'), Greene left school early and entered a dangerous period dealing drugs in New York, during which his home was fire-bombed. A chance meeting with acting coach Penny Allen steered him towards independent film.
Success, however, exacerbated substance abuse issues. In a candid 1996 Premiere magazine interview, given with his consent, his former assistant detailed his struggles with heroin and crack cocaine, including being found with a pipe on set. Greene hoped his honesty might help others.
He continued acting in later years, with a notable role in Michael Almereyda's unconventional 2020 biopic Tesla. He was often his own harshest critic, avoiding screenings of his films to escape seeing his "mistakes."
Greene is survived by his son, Ryder, a brother, and a sister. His marriage at age 20, for a green card, was never formally dissolved. He leaves behind a legacy of performances that were, as Entertainment Weekly once described him, like "a giant exposed nerve ending."
