Graham Greene, a pioneering Canadian First Nations actor, passed away on September 1, 2023, in a Toronto hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 73. Greene is remembered for his significant contributions to Hollywood, breaking barriers for Indigenous actors through his acclaimed performances, including his Oscar-nominated role in Dances With Wolves.
His agent, Michael Greene, expressed deep sorrow in a statement, noting, “He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed. You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” referring to Greene’s longtime agent who passed away in 2013.
A Journey from Ohsweken to Hollywood
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve, Graham Greene initially took on various odd jobs before pursuing acting. He began his career on stage and, by the 1970s, he was performing in professional theater productions across Canada and England. Greene made his screen debut in 1979 with an episode of the Canadian drama series The Great Detective, and his first film role came in the 1983 sports drama Running Brave.
His breakthrough arrived with the 1990 film Dances With Wolves, directed by Kevin Costner. Greene portrayed Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka), one of the central characters in the film. Dances With Wolves received 12 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture, propelling Greene into the Hollywood spotlight.
A Legacy of Diverse Roles
Following the success of Dances With Wolves, Greene starred in several notable films, including Maverick (1994) alongside Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) with Bruce Willis, and The Green Mile (1999) featuring Tom Hanks. He also appeared in The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) and had significant roles in Transamerica (2005) and Wind River (2017).
Beyond film, Greene’s television work included key roles in series such as Wolf Lake, Defiance, and Marvel’s Echo, along with appearances in Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove: The Series, Longmire, and American Gods. His talent earned him accolades, including a Grammy Award, Gemini Award, and a Canadian Screen Award. Earlier this year, he received the prestigious Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in recognition of his contributions to the arts in Canada.
One of Greene’s final roles was in the acclaimed FX series Reservation Dogs, which continued his legacy of paving the way for Indigenous talent in the entertainment industry. He remained active in his craft until his passing, with an upcoming thriller titled Ice Fall, starring Joel Kinnaman, already completed.
Greene is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson Tarlo. His influence and contributions to the film industry will be remembered by many, marking a significant loss for both the Indigenous community and the world of cinema.