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Sep 1, 2025 Sachin Shankar Yadav

At the age of 73, Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene, who is most remembered for his iconic performance as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s “Dances With Wolves,” passed away. He left behind a rich legacy in television, movies, and Indigenous representation.

On June 22, 1952, Graham Greene was born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. He was a draftsman, steelworker, welder, and audio technician before his acting career took off. In the 1970s, Greene started acting in theatres in Toronto and England. He debuted on television in “The Great Detective” (1979) and in a movie called “Running Brave” (1983).

In the 1990 movie “Dances With Wolves,” Greene portrayed a contemplative Lakota religious leader named Kicking Bird, which marked his big Hollywood breakthrough. With 12 Academy Award nominations and seven wins, including Best Picture, the movie was a critical and financial success. Greene became one of the first Indigenous actors to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

After his success, Greene had a busy career that included roles in more than 200 motion pictures and television shows. Among his most well-known roles are:

• Thunderheart as Walter Crow Horse (1992)

• Joseph in Maverick (1994)

• Detective Joe Lambert in the 1995 film Die Hard with a Vengeance

• Arlen Bitterbuck in The Green Mile (1999)

• Ben in Wind River (2017)

• TV appearances in shows like Longmire, Wolf Lake, Northern Exposure, and Reservation Dogs.

Greene received various accolades and awards for his efforts:

• Nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards

• Grammy Award winner

• Canadian Screen Award winner

• Gemini Award winner

• Dora Mavor Moore Award winner

• Order of Canada recipient (2015)

• For lifetime artistic achievement, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award (2025) is given.

In December 1990, Graham Greene wed Hilary Blackmore, whom he had met while working on “Dances With Wolves.” Francis Hugh Greene and Lucy Greene were the couple’s two children. Greene’s honesty, morality, and support for improved Indigenous representation in movies earned him respect. He was a mentor and role model for upcoming Indigenous artists, so his influence extended well beyond his acting career.

After a protracted illness, Greene died in Stratford, Ontario, on September 1, 2025. He was praised as a trailblazer who expanded the opportunities for Indigenous performers and motivated countless viewers with his impactful portrayals in tributes from the film and television industries.

Although Graham Greene’s remarkable career has come to an end, his impact on Indigenous communities and North American film will last for many generations.