Quick Buzz Feed
Actor Peter Greene, best known for his roles in “The Mask” and “Pulp Fiction,” was found dead inside his Lower East Side apartment Friday afternoon, his longtime manager confirmed to The Post.
Actor Peter Greene, renowned for his impactful portrayals as an onscreen villain in iconic 1990s films such as "The Mask" and Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," was tragically discovered deceased at the age of 60. He was found unresponsive inside his Lower East Side apartment on Clinton Street during the afternoon, specifically around 3:25 p.m. on a Friday. Following the discovery, law enforcement officials promptly arrived at the scene and pronounced him dead. His long-term manager, Gregg Edwards, later confirmed the sad news to The Post, and police have indicated that there were no suspicious circumstances suggesting foul play, with the official cause of death pending determination by the medical examiner's office.
Gregg Edwards, who had managed Peter Greene for over a decade, expressed deep sorrow over his client's passing, describing him affectionately as a "terrific guy" and highlighting his belief that Greene was "truly one of the great actors of our generation" with a heart "as big as there was." Edwards conveyed his personal grief, stating, "I’m going to miss him. He was a great friend." The manager also revealed that Greene had been eagerly anticipating a new professional endeavor: he was slated to commence production in January for an independent thriller titled "Mascots," where he was set to co-star with Mickey Rourke. Edwards recounted informing the film's writer-director, Kerry Mondragón, of Greene's death, noting their profound upset at the news.
While Peter Greene had, at times, cultivated a reputation for being challenging to collaborate with, his manager, Edwards, clarified that this stemmed from Greene's unwavering commitment to his craft. He characterized Greene as a perfectionist who poured his entire effort into every role, striving tirelessly to ensure his performance was precisely "right." Edwards lauded Greene's collaborations with numerous acclaimed actors and directors throughout his career. He specifically highlighted Greene's performance as the ruthless mobster Dorian Tyrell in "The Mask," where he starred alongside Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz, as "arguably his best role." Furthermore, Edwards emphasized Greene's personal growth, noting that the actor had "fought his demons but overcame them," referring to his past struggles.
Peter Greene's life story included a period of profound personal struggle before achieving cinematic success. Originally from Montclair, New Jersey, Greene faced early adversity, having run away from home at the tender age of 15. Subsequently, he endured life on the streets of New York City, where he became involved in drug use and, eventually, drug dealing. These details of his difficult past were shared by Greene himself in a 1996 interview with Premier magazine. However, he made a conscious effort to address his challenges; after attempting suicide in March 1996, he actively sought and underwent treatment for his addictions, marking a significant turning point in his life. The blue-eyed actor went on to amass approximately 95 film credits, gracing the screens in several highly regarded films, beyond "The Mask" and "Pulp Fiction," including "Laws of Gravity," "Clean, Shaven," "Blue Streak," and "Training Day," leaving behind a diverse and memorable film legacy.