Cinema: Peter Greene, Hollywood’s famous “villain”, dies at 60

Rome, 13 December (LaPresse) – Actor Peter Greene, famous for his “antagonist” roles in films such as The Mask and Pulp Fiction, was found dead yesterday afternoon in his apartment on New York’s Lower East Side. This was confirmed by his manager to the New York Post. Greene was 60 years old. Famous for playing Zed, the sadistic security guard in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), the actor was found unconscious in his Clinton Street flat at around 3:25 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene. The police do not suspect foul play; the cause of death will be determined by the coroner. Greene, who also appeared in The Usual Suspects, was about to begin filming an independent thriller with Mickey Rourke entitled Mascots. Among his best-known characters was Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, alongside Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. Originally from Montclair, New Jersey, Greene left his parents’ home at age 15 and lived on the streets of New York, falling into drug use and dealing. After attempting suicide in March 1996, he sought treatment for his addiction. With nearly 95 films to his credit, Greene also appeared in “Laws of Gravity”, “Clean, Shaven”, “Blue Streak” and “Training Day”.