Graham Greene, Acclaimed Indigenous Canadian Actor, Dies at 73
Stratford,
Ontario — Graham Greene, the celebrated Indigenous Canadian actor best known
for his Academy Award-nominated role in Dances With Wolves (1990), passed away
on Monday in Stratford, Ontario. He was 73. His death was confirmed by his
Canadian agent, Gerry Jordan.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on June
22, 1952, in the Oneida Reserve in southwestern Ontario, Greene was a proud
member of the Oneida First Nation. Before stepping into acting, he worked as a
welder, carpenter, and audio engineer. He trained at the Center for Indigenous
Theater in Toronto, graduating in 1974. His first television role came in 1979
in the Canadian series The Great Detective, and his film debut followed in 1983
with Running Brave, a biopic about Native American athlete Billy Mills.
Breakthrough with Dances With Wolves
Greene’s
breakthrough came with his performance as Kicking Bird, a medicine man, in
Dances With Wolves. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for
Best Supporting Actor. The film, directed and starred in by Kevin Costner, went
on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
Hollywood Success and Notable Roles
Following
his breakout role, Greene appeared in blockbuster films such as Maverick
(1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and The Green Mile (1999), where he
played Arlen Bitterbuck, a Native American inmate. Over the years, he built a
diverse résumé across film, television, and stage.
Greene’s
later works included roles in The Twilight Saga films (2009, 2012), guest
appearances in Reservation Dogs and HBO’s The Last of Us (2023), and the
Canadian feature The Birds Who Fear Death (2024). His final two films, Ice Fall
and Afterwards, are scheduled for release later this year.
Honors and Achievements
Throughout
his nearly five-decade career, Greene received numerous accolades:
Winner at
the Gemini Awards (1994) for his role in The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon
Appointed to
the Order of Canada in 2016
Honored with
a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2022
Recipient of
the Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2023
Despite
international fame, Greene chose to remain in Canada. “I was born in Canada and
I’m here to stay, and that’s it,” he said when receiving his lifetime
achievement award.
Advocate for Indigenous Representation
Greene was
also a strong voice for Indigenous representation in the arts. Reflecting on
his career, he once noted:
“At first
there was nothing, no real outlet for our acting, our storytelling, our
careers, our talent. But today, there are a lot more Indigenous writers and
actors, a lot of young kids coming up who are breaking into the industry. It’s
great to see that.”
Family and Legacy
Graham
Greene is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter, Lilly
Lazare-Greene, and his grandson, Tarlo.
Greene’s
enduring legacy lies not only in his acclaimed performances but also in the
opportunities he helped open for Indigenous actors across Canada and beyond.