Actor Graham Greene Passes Away at 73 – ‘Dances with Wolves’ Star Remembered as a Trailblazer
Toronto / Stratford, Ontario – The film and television world mourns the loss of Graham Greene, the pioneering First Nations actor best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves. Greene passed away at age 73 on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Stratford, Ontario, after a prolonged illness.
Born on June 22, 1952, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Greene was a member of the Oneida Nation. Before his breakthrough acting career, he worked in various trades—including welding, carpentry, and audio-technical work—before landing his first acting roles in the late 1970s.
Greene’s portrayal of Kicking Bird in the 1990 epic Dances with Wolves catapulted him to international recognition and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film itself took home seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Over his five-decade career, Greene appeared in more than 200 productions, spanning film, television, and theatre. Notable credits include The Green Mile, Maverick, Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, as well as popular TV series such as Reservation Dogs, 1883, The Last of Us, and Tulsa King. In 2018, he lent his voice to Red Dead Redemption 2, bringing further acclaim for his versatility.
His work earned him numerous honors, including a Grammy Award in 2000, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2025, and being named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016.
Celebrated actor Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Greene in Dances with Wolves, paid tribute via social media: “He was a master at work and a wonderful human being.” Costner warmly recalled Greene’s dedication—particularly his effort to learn Lakota for his role, and his powerful, understated performance.
Graham Greene is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, their daughter Lilly Lazare‑Greene, and grandson Tarlo.
His passing marks the loss of not only a gifted performer but a cultural icon who broke barriers for Indigenous actors in North America. Greene’s legacy endures in both his unforgettable performances and the path he paved for future generations.