Graham Greene, Dances with Wolves Actor and Indigenous Trailblazer, Dead at 73
Toronto, Canada — Graham Greene, the Canadian First Nations actor whose Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves made him one of the most recognized Indigenous performers in North America, has died at the age of 73. He passed away on September 1 in a Toronto hospital after a long illness, with his wife, Hillary Blackmore, at his side.
Greene, born June 22, 1952 on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, carved out a career that spanned stage, television, and film, often breaking barriers in Hollywood where Indigenous representation was scarce. His agent, Michael Greene (no relation), confirmed his passing, describing him as “a man of great morals, ethics, and character, who will be eternally missed.”
From Steelworker to Stage
Before acting, Greene led a working-class life — holding jobs as a steelworker, welder, draftsman, and audio technician. His work as a roadie for rock bands exposed him to live performance and discipline, and a chance encounter eventually pushed him into theater. By the 1970s, Greene was performing in Canadian and English stage productions, where his talent quickly stood out.
He made his screen debut in 1979 on the Canadian drama The Great Detective, and his first film role came in Running Brave (1983). But it was in 1990 that Greene became an international name.
Dances with Wolves and an Oscar Nomination
Greene’s breakthrough came with Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic Dances with Wolves, where he played Kicking Bird, a Lakota holy man. The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, placing him in Hollywood’s spotlight. The film went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and Greene’s role was widely praised for its humanity and dignity, offering audiences a portrayal of Indigenous life rarely seen at the time.
A Career of Range and Resilience
Greene went on to become a sought-after character actor across genres. His credits include:
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Thunderheart (1992) opposite Val Kilmer
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Maverick (1994) with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster
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Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) with Bruce Willis
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The Green Mile (1999) with Tom Hanks
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The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
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Wind River (2017) alongside Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen
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Molly’s Game (2017) with Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner
On television, Greene appeared in Medicine River, Spirit Rider, Riverdale, American Gods, The Last of Us, and Reservation Dogs, among many others. He also remained active in theater throughout his career.
Greene had several projects still in progress at the time of his death, including the thriller Icefall, filmed in Bulgaria with Joel Kinnaman and Danny Huston.
Honors and Legacy
In 2015, Greene received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada’s highest artistic honor. At the time, he humbly admitted he thought the award was a prank, saying he struggled to believe he deserved it. But few could deny his impact: as one of the first Indigenous actors to achieve international acclaim, Greene opened doors for others and changed the way Indigenous stories were told on screen.
Despite his fame, Greene never abandoned his Canadian roots. “I was born in Canada and I’m here to stay,” he once said. His pride in his homeland and heritage was inseparable from his artistry.
Personal Life
Greene is survived by his wife, Hillary Blackmore, his daughter Lily Lazerie Greene, and his son Tarlo Greene.
As tributes pour in from colleagues and fans, Greene is being remembered not just as an actor, but as a trailblazer. He helped transform Hollywood’s portrayal of Indigenous people, insisting on dignity, authenticity, and humanity.
Graham Greene is gone, but his legacy remains — in the films he shaped, the roles he redefined, and the generations of actors who will follow in his footsteps.