Peter Greene

Peter Greene (born Peter Green on October 8, 1965) is an American character actor and producer best known for his chilling portrayals of villains in 1990s cinema. A native of Montclair, New Jersey, Greene did not begin pursuing acting until his mid‑20s, after which he quickly landed supporting roles that highlighted his imposing 6‑ft‑3½‑in stature and his talent for playing menacing antagonists. His breakout performance came in The Mask (1994) where he embodied the ruthless crime lord Dorian Tyrell, a role that cemented his reputation as a compelling on‑screen threat. The same year he appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction as Zed, a sadistic security guard whose disturbing actions left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. Greene’s versatility was further demonstrated in the psychological drama Clean, Shaven (1994) where he played the schizophrenic Peter Winter, showcasing his ability to convey inner turmoil beyond straight‑up villainy. Throughout the mid‑1990s he added to his résumé with memorable parts in Judgment Night, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, and The Usual Suspects, where his portrayal of Redfoot contributed to the film’s intricate narrative. Despite a promising trajectory, Greene’s career was marred by personal challenges, including heroin and cocaine addiction that led to arrests in 1998 and 2007, periods that temporarily stalled his momentum. Director Jordan Alan intervened during Greene’s struggles, arranging rehabilitation and even dubbing his voice for The Gentleman Bandit after vocal damage from substance abuse. In the 2000s he continued to work steadily, appearing in Training Day, Blue Streak, and the short‑lived TV drama The Black Donnellys, while also making cameo appearances in music videos for House of Pain and Mobb Deep. More recent projects include roles in New York, New York (2016), the digital series The Jersey Connection, and a supporting part in the 2023 series The Continental. Greene’s career, spanning over three decades, illustrates both the resilience of a dedicated character actor and the complex interplay between artistic success and personal adversity.