Peter Greene Dies From Accidental Gunshot Wound in New York City Apartment at Age 60

Two months after he was found lifeless inside his Lower East Side apartment, officials have now confirmed how Peter Greene died — and the conclusion is raising eyebrows.

The New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Greene, 60, died from a gunshot wound to his left axilla — the area beneath the shoulder — which severed his brachial artery.

The manner of death has been officially ruled an accident.

That classification has surprised many, given the circumstances surrounding how he was discovered.

A Grim Discovery in Manhattan

Greene was found in the late afternoon of December 12 after neighbors reported loud music blaring from his apartment for several days.

Police conducted a welfare check and had a locksmith open the door.

According to neighbors who later spoke to local outlets, Greene was discovered face down on the floor with visible injuries and blood at the scene.

One neighbor described it bluntly, saying there was “blood everywhere.”

A handwritten note was reportedly found inside the apartment.

It read, “I’m still a Westie,” which appears to reference the Irish-American gang that operated out of Hell’s Kitchen during the 1970s and 1980s.

Authorities have not publicly explained the note’s connection to the incident.

At the time, law enforcement sources said the cause and manner of death were undetermined.

There were early questions about whether the case involved foul play, suicide, substance use, or something else entirely.

Now, investigators say it was an accidental shooting.

A Career Built on Playing Dangerous Men

Greene carved out a distinct place in Hollywood as one of the most convincing on-screen villains of the 1990s.

He is perhaps best remembered for playing Zed, the sadistic security guard in Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino.

He also delivered a memorable performance as crime boss Dorian Tyrell in The Mask alongside Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz.

Over the years, he appeared in nearly 95 film and television projects, including The Usual Suspects, Blue Streak and Training Day.

Those who worked with him often said no one played a menacing character quite like Greene — yet off-screen, many described him as deeply sensitive and thoughtful.

A Complicated Personal Journey

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene’s early life was anything but smooth.

He ran away from home at 15 and lived on the streets of New York City.

In later interviews, he openly discussed struggles with drug addiction and dealing during his youth.

He didn’t begin acting until his mid-20s, but once he did, momentum came quickly.

By the early 1990s, he was landing major roles in independent films and studio projects alike.

In 1996, following a suicide attempt, Greene sought treatment for addiction.

He later spoke candidly about fighting personal demons and trying to rebuild stability.

There were setbacks — including a 2007 arrest for crack cocaine possession — but colleagues say he worked hard to regain footing.

His longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, described him as a perfectionist who sometimes carried the weight of his roles intensely.

“Nobody played a bad guy better,” Edwards said, adding that Greene had “a heart as big as gold.”

Projects Left Unfinished

At the time of his death, Greene was preparing to return to work.

He was reportedly set to begin filming an independent thriller titled Mascots alongside Mickey Rourke.

He was also attached to a crime drama called State of Confusion, scheduled to shoot later this year in Cape May, New Jersey and parts of New York.

According to Edwards, the news of Greene’s death devastated collaborators, including director Kerry Mondragón, who reportedly broke down upon hearing the news.

For an actor who built a reputation in gritty crime dramas, there was a sense that another chapter was still unfolding.

Lingering Questions

While the medical examiner’s ruling labels the shooting accidental, authorities have not publicly detailed how the firearm discharged or the precise circumstances that led to the fatal injury.

The note found inside the apartment has also not been formally addressed in official statements.

For fans and friends, the unanswered details add a layer of unease to an already tragic ending.

What’s Next?

With the manner of death now officially classified, law enforcement involvement appears to be winding down unless new information emerges.

Family members — Greene is survived by a sister and brother — are expected to handle memorial arrangements privately.

Meanwhile, film projects that were set to include him will likely undergo recasting or restructuring.

In Hollywood, conversations are already turning toward honoring Greene’s body of work, which left a lasting imprint on 1990s crime cinema.

Summary

Peter Greene, the character actor known for intense villain roles in films like Pulp Fiction and The Mask, died from a gunshot wound to the left axilla that severed his brachial artery.

The New York City medical examiner has ruled the manner of death an accident.

Found in his Manhattan apartment in December after neighbors reported loud music, Greene leaves behind nearly 95 screen credits and a legacy as one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable on-screen antagonists.