Peter Greene cause of death clarified, as Peter Green name confusion resurfaces

A medical examiner determination released Wednesday, February 18, 2026, identified the cause of death for actor Peter Greene, resolving weeks of uncertainty after he was found dead in New York City in December. The update has also reignited online confusion with Peter Green, the late co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, whose death in 2020 has often been discussed without a publicly detailed cause.

Peter Greene cause of death explained

The New York City medical examiner determined that Peter Greene’s cause of death was an accidental gunshot wound to the left axilla (armpit) that damaged the brachial artery, a major blood vessel supplying the arm. The manner of death was ruled accidental.

Greene, 60, was found dead in his apartment on Friday, December 12, 2025, after a wellness check was requested when neighbors noticed music playing continuously. At the time, the cause of death had not been publicly confirmed while the investigation proceeded. The February 18 finding provides the first official public clarity on what happened.

Who Peter Greene was on screen

Greene built a decades-long career often marked by intense, memorable supporting roles. He was widely recognized for playing Zed in Pulp Fiction and Dorian Tyrell in The Mask, performances that helped cement his reputation for portraying volatile antagonists with an unsettling edge.

His work stretched well beyond those titles, spanning independent films, studio projects, and television, with credits that included crime dramas and thrillers that benefited from his distinctive presence. Friends and collaborators frequently described him as more soft-spoken off camera than the characters he was cast to play.

Key takeaways

• The official finding (February 18, 2026) ruled the death accidental and specified a gunshot wound that injured a major artery.

• Peter Greene (actor) is not the same person as Peter Green (musician and Fleetwood Mac founder).

• The two names trend together online because of similar spelling and overlapping “cause of death” searches.

Why “Peter Green” searches spiked again

The similarity between the names peter greene and peter green routinely triggers mistaken identity online, especially when search terms include “cause of death.” In this case, renewed interest in Greene’s death drew in people looking for information about Peter Green, the British guitarist who helped form Fleetwood Mac in 1967 and became one of the most influential blues-rock players of his era.

Peter Green died on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at age 73. Public statements at the time said he died peacefully in his sleep, and coverage widely noted that a specific medical cause was not publicly detailed. That gap has led to recurring, speculative searches over the years, which tend to surge whenever a similarly named figure appears in headlines.

What happens next

In practical terms, the medical examiner’s determination closes the central public question about what caused the actor’s death, even as other details—such as the precise circumstances leading to the accidental discharge—may remain unclear at this time.

For readers trying to verify they have the right person: references to Pulp Fiction, The Mask, and a death date of December 12, 2025 point to Peter Greene (actor). References to Fleetwood Mac’s early years, British blues, and a death date of July 25, 2020 point to Peter Green (musician).