Peter Greene Died After Accidental Gunshot, Medical Examiner Says
The New York City medical examiner said Greene died of a gunshot wound to the left axilla that injured the brachial artery and ruled the death accidental.
Overview
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Feb. 18 that Peter Greene died of a gunshot wound to his left axilla injuring the brachial artery and ruled the death accidental.
Neighbors reported Christmas music coming from Greene's apartment and a wellness check on Dec. 12 led to him being found in his Manhattan residence.
Manager Gregg Edwards confirmed Greene's death, called him "a terrific guy" and said he was "arguably one of the greatest character actors," according to Edwards.
Greene amassed roughly 97 to nearly 100 acting credits and was best known for villain roles in Pulp Fiction and The Mask.
His manager said Greene had surgery scheduled to remove a benign tumor near his lungs and was in contention for several film projects when he was found.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a factual, neutral account of Peter Greene’s death, focusing on medical findings and timeline. They include humanizing manager quotes, career highlights, and his activism/documentary as background. These details are sourced statements and selective context, not charged language or a persistent editorial narrative that pushes a particular viewpoint.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Peter Greene was best known for playing Zed, a villain in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film "Pulp Fiction," and Dorian in "The Mask" (1994) opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz.[1][2] Over his career, he accumulated nearly 100 acting credits, including roles in "The Usual Suspects," "Blue Streak," and "Training Day."[2] His most recent role was in the movie "Clicka," released shortly before his death.[2]
Greene was found during a wellness check on December 12 after neighbors reported that Christmas music had been playing continuously from his Manhattan apartment for more than 24 hours, starting early on December 10.[1][2] The persistent music prompted concerned neighbors to request a wellness check, which led to his discovery inside his apartment.
Greene had previously struggled with drug addiction and attempted suicide in 1996, but sought treatment shortly after.[1] According to reports, he had been sober for at least a couple of years at the time of his death.[1] Additionally, his manager indicated that Greene had surgery scheduled to remove a benign tumor near his lungs and was in contention for several film projects when he was found.[2]
The brachial artery is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the upper arm, elbow, forearm, and hand.[2] Greene's gunshot wound to the left armpit injured this artery, causing extensive bleeding that proved fatal.[1][2] The injury to this critical blood vessel in the axilla (armpit) region caused severe hemorrhaging.
Greene's manager, Gregg Edwards, confirmed his death and offered tribute to the actor, describing him as "truly one of the great actors of our generation" with a heart "as big as there was."[1] Edwards stated "He fought his demons but overcame them" and expressed that he would miss Greene, calling him "a great friend."[1]
History
3 sources