Actor Peter Greene, Uncredited Roles, and Missing Scenes

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Actor Peter Greene, Uncredited Roles, and Missing Scenes

Friday, July 9th, 2004 | The Usual Suspects |

Reader Tana responded to a Usual Suspects post and praised Peter Greene, the actor who plays Redfoot the jewel fence. I hadn’t known that actor’s name before, so I looked up his filmography on Internet Movie Database.

It turns out I had seen him before and hadn’t realized it. Peter Greene was Zed in Pulp Fiction. He also played Dorian Tyrell in The Mask (the Jim Carrey movie), which I didn’t watch until after I saw Tana’s post. It was on TBS tonight.

The reason I hadn’t known his name in The Usual Suspects is that he was uncredited. The movie manages to make room in the credits for Smuggler, Old Cop, and Bodyguards #1-4. It’s a mystery why Greene didn’t get credit for an excellent performance in a named speaking role.

Tana also points to this Peter Greene profile, which unflinchingly describes the heroin habit Greene had during most of his film career:

Unlike some no less tragic has-been actors, the fiercely talented Greene delivers. Marginally talented or charismatic screwups are a dime a dozen, but a true junkie artist is a rarity. And in Hollywood, such creatures are deified for living outside of the lines of self-control and responsibility until an industry of celebrity winds up flourishing around their tombstones.

During filming on The Usual Suspects, Greene luxuriously improvised a memorable filmic moment by flicking a lit cigarette into Stephen Baldwin’s face. Suspects writer Christopher McQuarrie calls Greene a “million-dollar day player,” which could be translated as “Get him in, nail the money shot, and get him out before he wreaks havoc.”

Greene improvised that scene? Then I guess Stephen Baldwin improvised acting like he was going to rip Greene’s arms off.

9 Comments to Actor Peter Greene, Uncredited Roles, and Missing Scenes

Tana
July 9, 2004

Wow, thanks for putting that up! I always wondered why the character was called Redfoot. I had no idea he died like that in the script, thanks for the link! I prefer Redfoot’s exit as it is in the movie. Although I really liked Fenster, too (Del Toro in the line-up always has me in stitches), and I guess he deserved to be avenged.

Les Jones
July 9, 2004

Yeah, I figured Redfoot as an Indian name. So they took out the red boots, but left the name.

Tana
July 12, 2004

Here’s something about the location where McManus et al. met Redfoot:

http://www.movie-locations.com/intromovies/usuals.html

Les Jones
July 12, 2004

Tana: that is awesome. I actually tried Googling around one time to find out where that was located and never could. You rock.

Les Jones
July 12, 2004

Write-up and pics here.

francesco nyc ny ave 7b.bar
March 29, 2005

i have been looking for peter for a few years i wonder is he okay is there any way to help me contact him is he alive? good guy good heart peter am your friend

jenn
June 28, 2006

Peter is alive and well and living in NJ at this time.

SP
April 10, 2007

Yes, but the burning question remains: WHY was Peter Greene uncredited in The Usual Suspects?
Thanks.

Karen
July 28, 2008

Don’t know if anyone is still reading this thread but he was also not credited for his role in Training Day. He was part of the unit and was shot accidentally by Denzel Washington.