Remembering Graham Greene, Oscar-Nominated First Nations Actor
Graham Greene, the celebrated Canadian First Nations actor known around the world for his role in Dances With Wolves , has passed away at the age of 73. His death was confirmed by his representatives, who said he died peacefully in Toronto after a long illness.
Greene’s passing has left a profound sense of loss in both the film and television industries, as well as among fans who admired not just his performances but also the dignity and humanity he brought to every role.
Born in 1952 in Ohsweken, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Greene didn’t start out planning to be an actor. Before he ever set foot on stage, he worked in a variety of jobs: as a draftsman, a civil technologist, a steelworker, even part of a rock-band crew. Acting came later, almost by chance, when a friend asked him to read a script. From there, he found himself drawn into theatre work in the 1970s, first in Canada and then in the UK. Theatre, he often said, gave him the foundation and discipline that shaped the rest of his career.
His big breakthrough came in 1990, when Kevin Costner cast him in Dances With Wolves as Kicking Bird, a Lakota medicine man. That performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and marked a turning point that launched him into international recognition. Greene’s portrayal stood out not only because of his talent but also because of the humanity he insisted on showing in his character—challenging stereotypes and helping audiences see Native people in a more authentic light.
Also Read:From that moment on, Greene became a familiar face in Hollywood and beyond. He played memorable roles in Thunderheart , Maverick , Die Hard With a Vengeance , The Green Mile , and The Twilight Saga: New Moon . More recently, he appeared in acclaimed series like Reservation Dogs , The Last of Us , and Tulsa King . His career spanned decades, and he remained active right up until the end, with projects still awaiting release.
Beyond his acting, Greene was recognized with numerous honors. He received the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Academy of Canadian Film and Television in 2004, was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2016, and just last year, he was presented with Canada’s Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement.
Despite his accolades, Greene often spoke with humor and humility about his career. He once reflected on the early roles offered to Indigenous actors, where scripts demanded stereotypes—stoic, humorless figures who grunted more than they spoke. Greene pushed against that, reminding filmmakers and audiences alike that Native communities are filled with laughter, family bonds, and resilience.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore, their daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo.
With his passing, a trailblazing voice in cinema has been silenced, but Graham Greene’s legacy will live on in the characters he brought to life, the barriers he broke, and the path he helped clear for Indigenous performers who follow in his footsteps.
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