Hollywood is mourning the sudden death of Peter Greene, the intense character actor best known for Pulp Fiction, The Mask, and Training Day, who was found dead in his New York City apartment on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was 60 years old.
According to New York police, Greene was discovered unresponsive inside his Lower East Side residence after a neighbor requested a wellness check. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities said no foul play is suspected, and the official cause of death has not yet been determined, pending review by the city’s medical examiner.
For many in Hollywood, the shock lies not only in Greene’s death, but in how active and forward-looking his life appeared in the days before. Friends and collaborators described an actor still deeply engaged with his craft, making the loss feel both sudden and unresolved.
As the investigation continues, attention has also turned to the legacy Greene leaves behind — both cultural and financial.
What’s Confirmed — and What Remains Unclear
What’s Confirmed
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Peter Greene was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on December 12, 2025
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He was 60 years old
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Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected
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The death is under review by the New York City medical examiner
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Greene had active professional projects at the time of his death
What Remains Unclear
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The official cause of death
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Whether medical complications contributed
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The precise timeline leading up to his death
Officials have emphasized that this is a routine medical review, not a criminal investigation.
A Career That Left a Mark Far Bigger Than His Fame
Peter Greene was never a conventional Hollywood star — and that was precisely what made him memorable.
Born on October 8, 1965, in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene emerged from New York’s independent film scene in the early 1990s. He earned early critical praise for Laws of Gravity (1992) and Clean, Shaven (1993), the latter widely cited by critics as one of the most uncompromising depictions of mental illness of its era.
Greene reached a wider audience in 1994, appearing in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction as Zed, a role that became unforgettable despite limited screen time. That same year, he starred opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask as crime boss Dorian Tyrell, grounding the film’s heightened comedy with genuine menace.
Over more than three decades, Greene amassed roughly 95 screen credits, including The Usual Suspects, Blue Streak, and Training Day. Colleagues often described him as intense, exacting, and deeply committed to his craft — an actor who treated even the smallest roles with gravity.
Personal Struggles and Hard-Won Stability
Greene openly discussed his troubled youth, including running away from home as a teenager and living on the streets of New York City. He later acknowledged long-standing struggles with addiction and mental health, including a suicide attempt in the mid-1990s, after which he sought treatment.
Those challenges shaped both his life and his performances. In recent years, friends and collaborators said Greene appeared stable, professionally focused, and quietly optimistic. At the time of his death, he was attached to several upcoming projects, including an independent film scheduled to begin production in early 2026.
A Sudden Loss That Reverberated Through Hollywood
News of Greene’s death prompted a wave of reflection across the film industry, particularly among independent filmmakers and actors who saw him as a symbol of uncompromising authenticity. Many noted that while Greene never achieved leading-man fame, his performances were often the most unsettling and memorable moments in the films he appeared in.
Fans revisited scenes from Pulp Fiction and Training Day, while colleagues spoke privately of an actor who brought lived experience, vulnerability, and intensity to every role.
How Much Was Peter Greene Worth at the Time of His Death?
As tributes poured in, a quieter question also emerged — not out of greed, but curiosity: how much wealth did a man who helped define an era of cinema actually leave behind?
At the time of his death, Peter Greene’s net worth was estimated at approximately $100,000, based on long-standing industry estimates and publicly available reporting on his career earnings.
While Greene appeared in films that collectively generated hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide, his personal finances reflected the realities faced by many working character actors rather than Hollywood power players.
Career Earnings
Greene earned most of his income through supporting and character roles, typically paid as one-time fees negotiated per project. He did not receive long-term studio contracts or profit participation from major releases such as Pulp Fiction or The Mask.
Residuals and Royalties
He likely received modest residual payments from television broadcasts, home video sales, and later streaming distribution. However, residuals for supporting actors under older contracts tend to be limited and diminish over time.
Business Ventures
There is no public evidence that Greene held ownership stakes in production companies, endorsements, or significant outside investments. His career remained focused on acting rather than financial diversification.
Real Estate
Public records do not indicate significant real-estate holdings. Greene lived in a New York City apartment, with no confirmation that it was owned outright.
Why His Net Worth Was Modest
Greene’s finances reflect a broader reality in Hollywood — that even actors who appear in legendary films may never share in the fortunes those films generate. Cultural impact and financial security do not always move in parallel.
Estate and Heirs: What Is Known
Details of Peter Greene’s estate planning have not been publicly disclosed. Based on standard practice, any assets would likely be distributed through a will or, if none exists, under New York state intestacy laws.
There have been no confirmed reports of disputes, trusts, or named beneficiaries.
Investigation Status
Authorities have reiterated that no criminal investigation is underway. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting routine evaluations, including toxicology testing, before issuing an official cause of death.
Beyond the Headlines: Why Peter Greene’s Career Still Resonates
Greene’s death has reopened conversations about how Hollywood values character actors, the long-term impact of independent cinema, and the gap between cultural influence and financial reward. For many fans, his work remains proof that intensity and honesty on screen can outlast fame — and sometimes fortune.
Key Questions Surrounding Peter Greene’s Death, Career, and Net Worth
What is confirmed about his death?
He was found dead in his New York City apartment on December 12, 2025. No foul play is suspected.
Is an investigation ongoing?
There is no criminal investigation. A medical review is ongoing.
How much was Peter Greene worth?
His net worth was estimated at approximately $100,000 at the time of his death.
Who inherits his estate?
That information has not been publicly disclosed.
How will he be remembered?
As a fearless character actor whose intensity left a lasting imprint on modern American cinema.
A Final Note
Peter Greene’s legacy was never measured in money. It was measured in commitment, risk, and performances that lingered long after the screen faded to black. As officials work to clarify the circumstances of his death, his family and friends have asked for privacy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, help is available in the U.S. through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available.
