Graham Greene, a distinguished Canadian First Nations actor who paved the way for Indigenous performers in Hollywood, passed away on September 1 in a Toronto hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 73 years old and received an Oscar nomination for his role in the film Dances with Wolves.
“He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed,” stated Greene’s agent, Michael Greene (unrelated), in a message to Deadline. “You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he added, referring to Greene’s longtime agent who passed away in 2013.
Early Life and Career
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve, Greene initially took on various odd jobs before turning to acting. He began his career on stage and by the 1970s was involved in Canadian and English professional theater.
Breakthrough Role
Greene made his television debut in 1979 with an episode of the Canadian drama series The Great Detective, followed by his first feature film, Running Brave, in 1983. His significant breakthrough occurred in 1990 when Kevin Costner cast him as Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka) in Dances with Wolves. The film garnered 12 Academy Award nominations, including one for Greene in the Best Supporting Actor category, and ultimately won seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
Hollywood Career
Following the success of Dances with Wolves, Greene’s career flourished, leading to roles in numerous high-profile films such as:
- Maverick (1994) with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster
- Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) alongside Bruce Willis
- The Green Mile (1999) featuring Tom Hanks
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
- Molly’s Game (2017) with Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba
Greene also starred in Thunderheart (1992) with Val Kilmer, Transamerica (2005) with Felicity Huffman, and Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River (2017) opposite Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen.
Television Contributions
In addition to his film work, Greene made a mark on television with leading roles in shows like Wolf Lake, Defiance, and Marvel’s Echo, as well as recurring roles on Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove: The Series, Being Erica, Longmire, Goliath, and American Gods.
A Legacy of Recognition
Greene’s accolades include an Oscar nomination, a Grammy Award, a Gemini Award, and a Canadian Screen Award. He was also an Independent Spirit nominee, honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award earlier this year.
In a fitting tribute to his legacy of breaking barriers for Indigenous talent, one of Greene’s last performances was in FX’s acclaimed series Reservation Dogs.
Final Work and Family
Greene continued to work up until his passing, with one upcoming film, the thriller Ice Fall, featuring Joel Kinnaman, already completed. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore; daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene; and grandson Tarlo.
