Toronto, Canada — The world mourns the loss of Graham Greene, the iconic Canadian actor whose Oscar-nominated portrayal in Dances with Wolves brought powerful and authentic Indigenous representation to the forefront of Hollywood. Greene passed away peacefully in a Toronto hospital on September 1 at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era for Indigenous actors worldwide.
Born on June 22, 1952, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Greene’s journey to stardom was anything but conventional. Before embracing acting, he labored in rugged, blue-collar jobs—steelworking, welding, drafting, and audio-tech—experiences that forged his incredible discipline and humility. A serendipitous suggestion to pursue theatre in the 1970s set him on a path that would ultimately captivate audiences globally.
Greene’s seismic breakthrough came in 1990, when director and star Kevin Costner entrusted him with the role of Kicking Bird, the wise Lakota holy man, in the groundbreaking Western epic Dances with Wolves. His unforgettable performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him one of the first Indigenous talents to receive such prestigious recognition. The film itself garnered seven Oscars, including Best Picture, shattering longstanding stereotypes and illuminating indigenous stories with genuine dignity.
Beyond this seminal achievement, Greene’s career was a dazzling tapestry of rich, nuanced roles across film and television. He starred in major Hollywood hits such as Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), Wind River (2017), and Molly’s Game (2017).
His television career was equally impressive, with standout performances in series like Northern Exposure, Longmire, Defiance, Riverdale, American Gods, and recent fan favorites The Last of Us and Reservation Dogs. Each character portrayed bore Greene’s signature depth and authenticity—whether embodying spiritual guides or battle-hardened survivors.
In 2015, Graham Greene was honored with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, the highest accolade in Canadian performing arts. With modesty emblematic of his lifelong persona, Greene admitted he initially thought the honor was a prank. Yet his trailblazing contributions in film and theatre indisputably earned him this place among the greats.
Despite his international acclaim, Greene remained resolutely grounded. He famously declared, “I was born in Canada and I’m here to stay,” steadfastly embracing his Oneida heritage and Canadian identity rather than chasing the Hollywood limelight.
At a private memorial service in Stratford, Ontario, Greene’s family shared a poignant video tribute celebrating highlights of his illustrious career alongside rare, intimate home footage never before seen by the public. The gathering was filled with tears and heartfelt remembrance, as guests honored a man who not only captivated screens but also shattered barriers and gave voice to Indigenous stories at the heart of global storytelling.
Fellow actor and longtime friend Tom Jackson encapsulated Greene’s extraordinary spirit: “Of all the theatre actors I’ve known, Graham was the best. He was a man in the moment, always present, always real. It was an honor to share the stage and the screen with him.”
Greene leaves behind his beloved wife, Hillary Blackmore, daughter Lily Lazerie Greene, and son Tarlo Greene. Yet, more than just family or film credits, his enduring legacy is one of truth, daring, and transformative representation that will resonate for generations to come.
