Hollywood is mourning the loss of Graham Greene, the Canadian First Nations actor whose powerful performances made him one of the most respected Native voices in cinema. Greene, best known for his Academy Award-nominated role in Dances With Wolves, has died at the age of 73. His manager confirmed he passed away peacefully of natural causes.
A Trailblazing Career That Broke Barriers
Born into the Oneida Nation of the Six Nations Reserve in southern Ontario, Greene’s path to stardom was anything but traditional. Before stepping into the spotlight, he worked as a draftsman, civil technologist, steelworker, and even as a rock-band crew member. It wasn’t until the 1970s, when he began performing in theatre in the UK, that Greene discovered his true calling.
Reflecting on his early years in a 2012 interview, Greene credited the discipline of theatre as the foundation of his craft.
“It helps you build a character. When you get into film you don’t have that luxury. The discipline of theatre is what I recommend to all actors,” he said.
Breakthrough With Dances With Wolves
Greene’s life changed forever in 1990 when he starred opposite Kevin Costner in the Oscar-winning epic Dances With Wolves. His portrayal of Kicking Bird, a wise Lakota medicine man, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and made him a household name.
That role opened the door to a string of memorable performances. He became a familiar face in Hollywood with standout roles in Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), and Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995). Later, audiences saw his range in The Green Mile (1999), where he played Arlen Bitterbuck, and in blockbuster hits like The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) and Wind River (2017).
Honors and Legacy
Greene’s contributions went far beyond the screen. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Academy of Canadian Film and Television. Twelve years later, in 2016, he was inducted into the Order of Canada — one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
For Greene, however, his proudest role was off-screen. In the same 2012 interview, he reflected on his marriage to Hilary Blackmore, calling it “the best time of my life.”
A Voice That Endures
Graham Greene’s career spanned decades, genres, and audiences — but at its core, his work gave visibility and dignity to Indigenous voices in Hollywood. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and filmmakers.
