Hollywood Bids Farewell: Peter Greene, Iconic Villain from 'The Mask' and 'Pulp Fiction,' Dies at 60

The lights dim slightly in Hollywood today as news breaks of the passing of Peter Greene, a character actor whose piercing gaze and unforgettable portrayals of villains left an indelible mark on cinematic history. Greene, perhaps best known for his chilling roles in '90s blockbusters like "The Mask" and "Pulp Fiction," has died at the age of 60.

The news came quietly, reporting that Greene was found deceased on Monday, May 27th, in a rented apartment in New York City. At present, the exact cause of his untimely death remains unknown, and authorities are awaiting an autopsy to shed more light on the circumstances. It's always a shock, isn't it, when we lose someone so suddenly, especially a face so recognizable from our favorite films.

For many, Greene’s face is instantly synonymous with the slick, menacing Dorian Tyrell in the 1994 Jim Carrey comedy hit, "The Mask." He played the chief antagonist, a gangster whose ambition and cruelty were amplified when he, too, donned the ancient, magical mask. His transformation from a stylish criminal to a grotesque, powerful force of chaos was a truly memorable performance, standing out even alongside Carrey's manic energy.

But that same year, in a starkly different cinematic universe, Greene delivered another equally impactful, albeit disturbing, performance. Quentin Tarantino fans will recall him vividly as Zed, one of the two men responsible for the infamous, harrowing basement scene with Marsellus Wallace in "Pulp Fiction." It was a brief but utterly chilling role, one that solidified his reputation for embodying truly unsettling characters. There's a particular kind of actor who can make such an impact with limited screen time, and Greene was undoubtedly one of them.

Beyond these iconic roles, Greene’s career showcased his versatility, often leaning into the darker side of human nature. He graced the screens in acclaimed films like the psychological drama "Clean, Shaven" (1993), where he played a man struggling with schizophrenia, and the twisty crime thriller "The Usual Suspects" (1995). Some sources even list him in the acclaimed "Training Day" (2001), though perhaps in a smaller, yet impactful, capacity, further showcasing his range.

Peter Greene had a knack for bringing an intense, often unsettling authenticity to his characters. He wasn't always the leading man, but he was always the man you remembered, the one who added a layer of unpredictable tension to any scene he entered. His passing leaves a void in the landscape of Hollywood character actors, and he will certainly be missed by fans who appreciated his unique talent for portraying the complexities, and often the darkness, of the human spirit.