Actor Peter Greene’s Death Ruled Accidental Two Months After Shocking Discovery
The cause of death for character actor Peter Greene has been revealed nearly two months after he was found dead inside his New York City apartment.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Wednesday that Greene, 60, died from a gunshot wound to the left axilla, or armpit, which damaged a major artery. Officials ruled the manner of death an accident.
Greene, best known for playing menacing villains in films like “Pulp Fiction” and “The Mask,” was discovered Dec. 12 after concerns were raised about his welfare.
According to his manager Gregg Edwards, authorities conducted a wellness check after music was heard playing continuously in the apartment for more than 24 hours. Edwards said he had spoken with Greene earlier that week.
“Nobody played a bad guy better than Peter,” Edwards said. “But he also had, you know, a gentle side that most people never saw, and a heart as big as gold.”
A New Jersey native, Greene built a reputation in the early 1990s as one of Hollywood’s most intense character actors. He first appeared on screen in 1990 in an episode of NBC’s crime drama “Hardball,” then made his film debut in 1992’s “Laws of Gravity” alongside Edie Falco.
His breakthrough came soon after with a string of dark, unforgettable roles. He played the villain Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey in “The Mask,” and the sadistic character Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” He also appeared in “Clean Shaven,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Blue Streak,” and “Training Day,” sharing the screen with stars including Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke.
Colleagues often praised his range beyond the tough-guy roles that defined his career.
“He was one of the best character actors on the planet,” Edwards said. “He was a good friend who would give you the shirt off his back. He was loved and will be missed.”
Greene had recently been working on a documentary project focused on global humanitarian issues tied to U.S. foreign aid policy. Edwards said the actor served as both a co-producer and narrator on the film, titled “From the American People: The Withdrawal of USAID,” alongside Jason Alexander and Kathleen Turner.
“Peter’s latest project was driven by his passion for raising awareness about the global deaths resulting from the administration’s dismantling of USAID,” Edwards said. “The best way to honor him would be to help him spread the word about what is happening.”
No additional details about the circumstances of the shooting have been released.
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