Actor Peter Greene, best known for his unforgettable role as the sadistic Zed in Pulp Fiction, has tragically passed away at the age of 60. The New Jersey native was found unresponsive in his New York City apartment on Friday and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Police say an investigation is underway, and foul play has not been ruled out pending autopsy results.
Neighbors told the New York Daily News that Greene was found face down on the floor with visible injuries. A handwritten note reportedly taped to his door read, “I’m still a Westie,” a possible reference to the Irish-American gang that operated out of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen in the 1970s.
Greene’s longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, said he requested a wellness check after hearing that music had been playing inside the apartment for more than 24 hours. Edwards shared that he had spoken with the actor earlier in the week.
“I’m devastated,” Edwards told the New York Post. “Peter was truly one of the great actors of his generation. His heart was immense. I’m going to miss him terribly—he was a great friend.”
Fans flooded social media with tributes to Greene, praising his raw screen presence and the impact of his performances. “Rest in peace Peter Greene,” one user wrote on X. “One of Hollywood’s most unforgettable actors.” Another recalled being “terrified” of his menacing turn as Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask: “RIP King.”
Greene’s death comes just weeks before he was set to begin filming an independent project titled Mascots alongside Mickey Rourke in January.
Throughout his career, Greene brought grit and vulnerability to roles in Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak, and Training Day. Though known for playing villains, colleagues often described him as warm, funny, and deeply dedicated to his craft.
His road to Hollywood success was far from easy. Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene ran away from home at 15 and lived on the streets of New York, where he struggled with addiction and poverty. In a 1996 interview with Premiere magazine, he revealed that a suicide attempt that same year became a turning point, prompting him to seek treatment and rebuild his life.
Following recovery, Greene’s career flourished as he became one of the most recognizable faces of 1990s indie cinema—a performer whose presence could electrify even the smallest role.
As fans and colleagues mourn his loss, Edwards summed up the sentiment shared by many: “He fought his demons and never stopped chasing perfection. The world has lost a true original.”
