Peter Greene, the 60‑year‑old American actor celebrated for his memorable villainous performances on screen, died on December 12, 2025.
Two months after his body was discovered in his New York City apartment, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City has publicly released the official cause of his death.
According to the medical examiner’s findings, Greene’s death was the result of a gunshot wound to the left axilla, the anatomical term for the armpit.
The bullet injured the brachial artery, a large blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the arm and hand. The injury caused extensive internal bleeding, which proved fatal. After completing its investigation, the medical examiner’s office ruled the manner of death an accident.
Greene’s body was found inside his Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan after a neighbour raised concerns.
According to reports, music had been heard playing continuously from his residence for more than a day, prompting the call for a welfare check. When authorities entered the apartment with a locksmith, Greene was discovered unresponsive.
Authorities did not immediately provide details about how the firearm was discharged, but the official classification remained that the shooting was unintentional and not the result of foul play.
At the time of his death, Greene had been living in New York and had built a career over three decades with nearly 100 credits in film and television.
While he was most widely known for his role as Zed in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), he also appeared as Dorian Tyrell, the principal antagonist in the Jim Carrey comedy The Mask the same year, among many other character roles.
Friends, colleagues, and fans have since remembered Greene not just for his talented portrayals of on‑screen villains but also for his presence off camera.
At the time of his passing, his manager and longtime friend reflected on his career and personality, noting that despite the intimidating roles he often played, Greene had been a warm and generous individual.
The disclosure of the precise cause of death was made public in February 2026, providing long‑awaited clarity on the circumstances surrounding the actor’s sudden and tragic passing.
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