Graham Greene, a renowned Canadian Indigenous actor best known for his role in “Dances With Wolves,” passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, after a prolonged illness. He was 73 years old.
Michael Greene, the actor’s agent, confirmed his passing, noting that Greene “loved all he did for his people and for the world.” The specific illness Greene battled was not disclosed in official statements.
Greene was born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Canada’s Six Nations Reserve. Before pursuing a career in acting in the 1970s, he held various jobs, including draftsman, high steel worker, welder, and carpenter. He made his television debut in 1979 on “The Great Detective,” a Canadian drama series, and appeared in the 1983 film “Running Brave.”
In 1990, Greene’s career-defining role came when Kevin Costner cast him as Kicking Bird in “Dances With Wolves.” The film received 12 Academy Award nominations, with Greene earning a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner. The storyline follows a Civil War soldier who forms a connection with a Sioux tribe and adopts their way of life.
Following this breakthrough, Greene appeared in numerous prominent Hollywood films, including “Maverick” (1994) with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, “Die Hard With a Vengeance” (1995) with Bruce Willis, “The Green Mile” (1999) with Tom Hanks, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (2009), and Aaron Sorkin’s “Molly’s Game” (2017). He also starred in “Thunderheart” (1992) with Val Kilmer, “Transamerica” (2005) with Felicity Huffman, and Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River” (2017).
He maintained a significant television career with over 180 credits, appearing in series such as “Northern Exposure,” “Wolf Lake,” “Defiance,” “Longmire,” “Goliath,” “American Gods,” “The Last of Us,” and “Riverdale.” Recently, he worked on Taylor Sheridan’s “1883” and “Tulsa King” for Paramount+. Among his last television roles was in FX’s “Reservation Dogs,” a series noted for advancing Indigenous talent in Hollywood.
Beyond acting, Greene was recognized across various entertainment media. He won a Grammy in 2000 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children with “Listen to the Storyteller.” Additionally, he voiced Elder Chief Rains Fall in the 2018 video game “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Throughout his career, Greene received numerous accolades, including multiple Gemini Awards and Canadian Screen Awards, as well as an Independent Spirit Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male Lead for “Skins,” a film about life on the Lakota Sioux reservation. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021 and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2025. Additionally, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Wilfred Laurier University in 2008.
Greene was instrumental in breaking barriers for Native American actors in the entertainment industry. His work emphasized the importance of Indigenous actors telling Indigenous stories, challenging traditional stereotypes in film and television.
Following his death, tributes from colleagues and industry professionals highlighted his impact. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, who collaborated with Greene on “Wolf Lake” and “Longmire,” described him as an “Actor’s Actor” and praised his wit and warmth. Lily Gladstone from “Killers of the Flower Moon” noted his ability to enhance every project he joined. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from “Reservation Dogs” thanked Greene for his mentorship and pioneering efforts for young Native actors.
SAG-AFTRA acknowledged Greene’s contributions, referring to him as a proud member of the Oneida Nation and a pioneer for Indigenous representation. They recognized his heartfelt and powerful performances in roles from “Dances With Wolves” to “Reservation Dogs” and “Tulsa King.”
Greene completed work on the thriller “Ice Fall,” starring Joel Kinnaman, which is currently in post-production. He remained committed to his craft and promoting Indigenous representation in entertainment until the end of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore; his daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene; and his son, Talo.
