Peter Greene American Actor Passes Away at 60 | Movies, Net Worth, Addiction Struggles, Cause of Death and Legacy

Peter Greene, the celebrated actor known for playing memorable villains in films like Pulp Fiction and The Mask, passed away at the age of 60 on December 13, 2025, at his home in New York City. He was found in his Lower East Side apartment after a wellness check was requested when music had been playing for more than 24 hours. His manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed his death but did not reveal a cause.

He is survived by a sister and a brother. Greene was best known for his intense and unforgettable performances, including Zed in Pulp Fiction, Dorian in The Mask, Redfoot in The Usual Suspects, and Jeff in Training Day. Despite often playing dark and dangerous characters, he was praised for having a gentle, unseen side, and he is fondly remembered by both colleagues and fans.

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Who is Peter Greene? Early Life, Education, and Background

Peter Greene was born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey. He grew up in a working-class suburban town, but he kept his family life very private. Little is known about his parents, siblings, or childhood home.

Greene grew up in Montclair until his late teens. He showed a rebellious streak and an early interest in performance. He often used his real-life intensity to create street-smart personas, which later inspired his screen villains.

Greene discovered acting in his mid-20s while living in New York City. He was drawn to the raw energy of the downtown scene, not formal training or family encouragement. He briefly studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, learning method acting techniques that shaped his visceral and unpredictable performances.

In his 20s, Greene faced personal struggles, including early drug experimentation, but acting became his focus. This shift launched his iconic Hollywood career in the 1990s, known for intense and memorable villain roles.

Peter Greene — American actor | Movies and TV Shows

Peter Greene was an American character actor known for his intense on-screen presence, especially in the 1990s. He often played villains or dark, edgy roles, bringing a raw and memorable energy to each performance. His performances were particularly noted in crime, thriller, and action genres, where his characters were often gritty, menacing, or morally complex.

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Notable Film Roles

• Pulp Fiction (1994) – Zed
  Played a chillingly sadistic security guard in a highly memorable and disturbing sequence.
• The Mask (1994) – Dorian Tyrell
  Main antagonist and rival to Jim Carrey’s character, showcasing his villainous charisma.
• Clean, Shaven (1993) – Peter Winter
  Star-making role as a man struggling with schizophrenia; won Best Actor at the Taormina International Film Festival.
• The Usual Suspects (1995) – Redfoot
  Played a small but memorable role as the fence who sets the crime plot in motion.
• Blue Streak (1999) – Deacon
  Portrayed the main antagonist opposite Martin Lawrence.
• Judgment Night (1993) – Sykes
• Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) – Mercenary #1
• Training Day (2001) – Detective Jeff
  Uncredited role as a corrupt narcotics officer, involved in a critical crime plot.
• The Bounty Hunter (2010) – Earl Mahler
• Laws of Gravity (1992) – Jimmy
  One of his first leading roles.

Notable TV Roles

• The Continental (2023) – Uncle Charlie
  Episode: “Brothers in Arms”
• The Black Donnellys (2007) – Derek Timothy “Dokey” Farrell
  Main cast role.
• Justified (2010) – Thomas “Tommy Bucks” Buckley
  Episode: “Fire in the Hole”
• Life on Mars (2009) – Jimmy McManus
  Recurring role.
• Chicago P.D. (2016) – Rory Jensen
  Recurring role, Season 3.
• For Life (2020) – Wild Bill Miller
  Recurring role, Season 1.
• Law & Order (2001) – Francis “Taz” Partell
  Episode: “Bronx Cheer”

Peter Greene’s Net Worth and Earnings

At the time of his death on December 12, 2025, Peter Greene’s net worth was estimated between $1.5 million and $5 million, with most sources, including FandomWire and The Economic Times, placing it around $1.5 million. This relatively modest figure reflects the impact of his long battle with addiction, career gaps during the 2000s and 2010s, and his reclusive lifestyle, which avoided endorsements or extravagant spending.

Most of Greene’s earnings came from his iconic ’90s roles, including Pulp Fiction, The Mask, and The Usual Suspects, with additional income from supporting roles in films and TV, like Training Day and Justified, as well as indie projects and occasional producing work. However, personal struggles, including multiple rehab stints and a 1999 drug arrest, limited his career growth and potential earnings.

Some older or less reliable sources listed higher estimates ($5–15 million), but these numbers are likely inflated and do not reflect his quieter later years living in a simple New York City apartment.

Peter Greene as Dorian Tyrell in The Mask

Peter Greene delivered one of his most iconic performances as Dorian Tyrell, the ruthless mobster and main villain in the 1994 superhero comedy The Mask, directed by Chuck Russell and starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz (in her film debut).

Dorian is a mid-level gangster working for mafia boss Niko (Orestes Matacena), running the upscale Coco Bongo nightclub while secretly planning to overthrow Niko and take control of Edge City. Charismatic yet brutal, he sends his girlfriend Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz) to case a bank, which unknowingly involves Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) when Stanley discovers the ancient Mask of Loki.

As the green-faced Mask causes chaos, robbing Dorian’s casino and humiliating his crew, Dorian becomes obsessed with capturing him, offering a $50,000 bounty and torturing henchmen for information. In the climax, Dorian steals the Mask, transforming into a hulking, demonic version (body-doubled by wrestler Robert Swenson), and faces an explosive showdown at Coco Bongo, ultimately being defeated and flushed down a fountain by the Mask’s cartoonish antics.

Greene’s cold, calculating menace perfectly countered Carrey’s wild energy, grounding the film’s tone. His manager described it as “arguably his best role.” The movie was a massive hit, grossing $351 million worldwide on a $23 million budget, launching Carrey to superstardom, introducing Diaz, and cementing Greene as one of Hollywood’s top ’90s villains alongside Zed in Pulp Fiction.

Notable quotes include:

• “50 grand to the man who finds that green-faced son of a bitch”
• “Okay, Twinkle Toes”

Peter Greene Wife

Peter Greene was never married and had no known wife. He kept his personal life private and never confirmed a spouse, partner, or domestic relationship.

He mentioned brief relationships in the 1990s, but nothing serious was documented. Greene had no children and lived alone in a Lower East Side apartment in New York City at the time of his death on December 12, 2025, at age 60.

Friends described him as a loner who kept romantic matters private and often deflected questions with jokes.

This contributed to his reclusive image. In short: no wife, no long-term partner, no public relationships.

Peter Greene and Cillian Murphy: Look-Alikes, Not Colleagues

Peter Greene and Cillian Murphy never worked together and have no personal or professional connection. They have no shared films, TV shows, or projects.

The frequent comparison comes from their striking resemblance, especially when younger. Both have sharp cheekbones, intense blue eyes, pale skin, dark hair, and a brooding, menacing look, leading many fans to mistake one for the other.

Since the mid-2000s, this similarity has fueled memes, Reddit threads, fan forums, and social media jokes. People often confuse Greene’s role as Dorian in The Mask with Murphy’s image, joking about them as doppelgangers or imagining them as on-screen siblings or villains.

After Greene’s death on December 12, 2025, at age 60, fans revisited the resemblance in tributes. Beyond this visual similarity, there is no real link between the two actors.

Controversies and Challenges

Peter Greene faced a long battle with drug addiction that affected much of his life and career. His issues with heroin and cocaine began in his 20s while living in New York City. Over the years, he had more than 10 rehab stints, which sometimes caused filming delays and missed roles.

In 1999, Greene was arrested for cocaine possession after a car crash in Los Angeles, bringing public attention to his struggles. While he avoided major scandals, his addiction led to on-set tensions, lost opportunities, and rumors in Hollywood circles, though most were unproven.

Greene was often typecast in intense villain roles, like Zed in Pulp Fiction and Dorian in The Mask, which limited his chance to play different characters. His private nature and reluctance to self-promote made it harder to expand his career.

Later in life, health problems from long-term substance use worsened. He died suddenly at age 60 on December 12, 2025, in his New York City apartment. The cause of death is pending, but many speculate it was linked to his history of addiction. Fans and colleagues remember him as a magnetic actor whose career was shaped—and at times limited—by his personal struggles.

FAQs

Who is Peter Greene?

Peter Greene was an American character actor known for playing chilling villains in 1990s films. His most famous roles include Zed in Pulp Fiction (1994) and Dorian Tyrell in The Mask (1994). Greene’s career also featured intense indie roles, though it was marked by personal struggles with addiction.

How did Peter Greene get famous?

Peter Greene rose to fame in 1994 with two iconic villain roles: Dorian Tyrell in The Mask and Zed in Pulp Fiction. His breakthrough followed indie acclaim in Clean, Shaven (1993), which highlighted his raw intensity and helped him secure major Hollywood roles.

What was Peter Greene’s reputation on set according to his manager?

Greene was sometimes seen as difficult to work with, but he was a perfectionist who gave every performance his all and wanted each role to feel “right,” earning respect from many actors and directors.

What challenges did Greene face in his early life?

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene ran away at 15 and lived on the streets of New York City, where he turned to drug use and eventually dealing before later seeking treatment and building his acting career.

What upcoming projects was Peter Greene scheduled to work on before his passing?

Peter Greene was set to star in the independent thriller Mascots alongside Mickey Rourke and in the crime-drama State of Confusion, directed by E.B. Hughes, with filming scheduled for late 2026.

What personal struggles did Peter Greene face during his life?

Greene battled drug addiction, including a 2007 arrest for crack cocaine possession, and survived a suicide attempt in 1996. Despite these challenges, he sought treatment and continued to pursue his acting career.

Why is Peter Greene uncredited in The Usual Suspects?

Peter Greene played Redfoot the Fence in The Usual Suspects (1995) but went uncredited. It was a small supporting role, appearing briefly in a scene where he flicks a cigarette at Stephen Baldwin, which is typical for minor parts in ensemble films.

Who played Dorian when he wore The Mask?

In The Mask (1994), when Dorian Tyrell puts on the Mask, the hulking green version was performed by wrestler Robert Swenson, with a deeper voice dubbed over. Peter Greene played the normal human Dorian throughout the film.

Which actor was a real Navy SEAL?

Jesse Ventura, a real-life Navy SEAL, became an actor and played Blain (originally named Williams) in Predator (1987), where he was the first actor to fire a handheld M134 Minigun.

What does 444 mean in Navy SEALs?

It means your guardian angels are with you and you’re highly protected. The number 444 also adds up to 12, and 12 further reduces to 3, which is often associated with protection as well.

Which famous actor fought in a real war?

Audie Murphy (1925–1971) was an American soldier and actor, celebrated as one of the most decorated U.S. combat soldiers of World War II. At 19, he earned the Medal of Honor for single-handedly holding off a German company for an hour in France in 1945.