Pulp Fiction Actor Peter Greene Dies In Accidental Shooting

Actor Peter Greene, whose chilling portrayal of villains made him a memorable presence in Hollywood, died last December after accidentally shooting himself in his New York City apartment, according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The official report, released two months after his death, confirmed that Greene succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his left armpit, which damaged the brachial artery and led to extensive bleeding. The medical examiner ruled his death an accident, closing the book on the tragic end of a complex and celebrated career. Greene, who was found dead on December 12, 2025, in his Lower East Side apartment, was 60 years old. The discovery came after neighbors reported hearing Christmas music playing nonstop from his apartment for several days, prompting a wellness check by police and his landlord. As Deadline reported, it was this concern from neighbors that led authorities to his apartment, where they found the actor lifeless. Born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey, Peter Greene’s journey to the screen was anything but conventional. According to TV Insider and FOX Local, Greene ran away from home at 15 and spent time homeless, selling drugs on the streets of New York City before discovering acting as a path forward. He made his television debut in 1990 with an appearance on NBC’s crime drama Hardball and quickly followed with his feature film debut in 1992’s Laws of Gravity, opposite Edie Falco. In 1993, he earned critical acclaim for his starring role in Clean, Shaven, a film that screened at the Cannes Film Festival and saw him portray a schizophrenic man and murder suspect—a role that foreshadowed the dark, complex characters he would become known for. But it was 1994 that proved to be Greene’s breakout year. He played the unforgettable Zed, a sadistic security guard and serial killer, in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. The film’s harrowing basement scene, in which Zed tortures characters played by Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames, cemented Greene’s reputation as a master of villainy. That same year, he starred opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz as the mobster Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, adding another iconic antagonist to his resume. As Rolling Stone noted, Greene was also memorable as Redfoot, the fence, in 1995’s The Usual Suspects. Greene’s career spanned nearly 100 film and television roles. He appeared in action thrillers like Judgment Night, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, and Blue Streak, and played a corrupt narcotics officer in 2001’s Training Day. On television, he was a series regular on NBC’s The Black Donnellys and had recurring roles on ABC’s Life on Mars and NBC’s Chicago P.D. Most recently, he appeared in an episode of the John Wick prequel series The Continental, according to Deadline. Despite his professional success, Greene’s personal life was marked by struggle and resilience. He was open about his battles with addiction, which culminated in a suicide attempt in 1996. However, as reported by Deadline and FOX Local, Greene had reportedly been sober for at least a couple of years leading up to his death. His manager, Gregg Edwards, told 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.” Edwards also emphasized Greene’s ability to overcome his demons, stating, “He fought his demons but overcame them.” At the time of his death, Greene was actively working on two projects, one of which was a documentary about the federal government’s withdrawal of funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to his manager. He was also set to begin filming an independent movie, Mascots, with Mickey Rourke in January 2026, as reported by FOX Local. These unfinished projects serve as a poignant reminder of the actor’s enduring drive and creative spirit, even in his final days. Greene’s ability to bring depth and nuance to the roles of villains was widely recognized in the industry. “Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” his manager told NBC News. “But he also had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold.” This duality—his capacity for menace on screen and kindness off—endeared him to colleagues and fans alike. In addition to his prolific filmography, Greene is remembered for his resilience and honesty about his personal struggles. He did not shy away from discussing his battles with addiction or the challenges he faced before finding success as an actor. According to TV Insider, Greene’s journey from homelessness and substance abuse to critical acclaim is a testament to his determination and talent. It also underscores the complexities of a life lived in the public eye, where professional triumphs often coexist with private battles. The circumstances of Greene’s death—an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound—were tragic and unexpected. The medical examiner’s report, as cited by NBC News and Deadline, was clear in ruling out foul play. Greene’s death came as a shock to those who knew him, especially given his recent years of sobriety and ongoing creative endeavors. He is survived by a brother and a sister, according to his manager Gregg Edwards. Peter Greene’s legacy is one of transformation, both on and off the screen. From the streets of New York to the heights of Hollywood, he carved out a niche as an actor who could bring humanity to even the darkest characters. His sudden passing has left a void in the world of film and television, but his performances—and the stories of resilience behind them—continue to resonate with audiences and colleagues alike. In the end, Greene’s life was a tapestry of struggle, redemption, and artistry. His roles, whether as Zed in Pulp Fiction or Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, will remain etched in cinematic history, a testament to his singular talent and the indelible mark he left on the industry.