Character actor Peter Greene, renowned for his unforgettable portrayal of the menacing villain Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 masterpiece “Pulp Fiction,” has passed away at age 60. His body was discovered in his Lower East Side residence on Friday afternoon, marking the end of a distinguished career that spanned over three decades in Hollywood.
Discovery and Initial Response
Greene was found deceased in his ground-floor apartment located on Clinton Street near Stanton Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The discovery came after residents in the building reported hearing Christmas music emanating from his unit continuously for several days. Building management arranged for a locksmith to access the apartment on Friday, where a neighbor made the grim discovery at approximately 3:25 p.m.
According to the neighbor who requested anonymity, Greene was lying face-down on the floor with visible facial injuries and blood at the scene. A handwritten note was posted on the door to his apartment bearing the cryptic message “I’m still a Westie,” an apparent reference to the infamous Irish-American organized crime group that operated from Hell’s Kitchen during the 1970s and 1980s.
Police initially reported Greene’s age as 60, though they later updated records on Saturday to reflect his actual age of 66. An autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death, with results pending further examination and additional information from the medical examiner.
Career Highlights and Professional Reputation
Greene’s manager of over a decade, Gregg Edward, offered a comprehensive portrait of the late actor’s professional achievements and personal character. Edward described Greene as “arguably one of the greatest character actors on the planet,” emphasizing that he had collaborated extensively throughout his career with prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
The actor’s career gained significant momentum in the early 1990s with leading roles in “Laws of Gravity” (1992) and “Clean, Shaven” (1993). However, it was his role as the ruthless antagonist Zed in “Pulp Fiction” that cemented his status as a memorable character actor. That same year, 1994, Greene demonstrated his versatility by taking on another prominent villain role opposite comedic star Jim Carrey and actress Cameron Diaz in “The Mask.”
Edward characterized Greene as a perfectionist who was deeply committed to his craft. “He had a reputation as tough to work with… He wanted it right,” Edward explained, noting that Greene was also an enthusiast of improvisation—a technique that resonated with some collaborators while proving challenging for others.
Upcoming Projects and Recent Activities
Despite his accomplishments, Greene remained actively engaged in his profession at the time of his death. Edward revealed that the actor had been selected for a role in an upcoming film titled “Mascots,” which was set to star Mickey Rourke and would begin production the following year. Additionally, Greene was in consideration for at least two other film projects. He was also contributing to a documentary focused on the federal government’s withdrawal of funding from the United States Agency for International Development.
Greene had spoken with his manager as recently as Wednesday, just days before his death. Edward noted that the actor had a surgical procedure scheduled in the coming days to remove a benign tumor located near his lungs. According to Edward, Greene was otherwise in good health and maintained a physically active lifestyle, regularly cycling throughout New York City streets.
Personal Struggles and Life Story
Throughout his life, Greene was candid about his personal challenges. He had previously discussed his struggles with drug addiction during the 1990s in interviews with premier publications, demonstrating a willingness to address the more difficult chapters of his biography.
Edward expressed deep admiration for Greene’s character and resilience. “He’s got stories after stories,” Edward reflected, noting that he had been encouraging Greene to document his life experiences in an autobiography. The manager emphasized Greene’s compassionate nature, stating that the actor “had a really good heart” and genuinely “cared about people.”
Despite health challenges that he had faced over the previous couple of years, Greene had consistently demonstrated remarkable strength and determination to overcome adversity. Edward described him as being “in pretty good shape for his age,” noting his commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle through regular cycling and physical activity.
