With Heavy Hearts, We Remember the Late Star of Dances with Wolves, 73

The world mourns the loss of Graham Greene, the celebrated Canadian actor whose career spanned over four decades and left a lasting impact on Hollywood and Indigenous representation in media. Greene, best known for his Academy Award–nominated performance as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves (1990), passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, at the age of 73 in Stratford, Ontario. He was surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, actress Hilary Blackmore.

Greene’s manager, Gerry Jordan, confirmed that his death was due to natural causes. While his passing marks the end of an era, Greene’s work and the path he paved for Indigenous performers continue to inspire audiences worldwide.

From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood

Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, Greene was a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Six Nations Reserve. Before pursuing acting, he worked as a carpenter, steelworker, welder, and even a rock band roadie. These early experiences shaped his resilience and grounded perspective, which later defined his acting career.

In the 1970s, Greene began exploring acting more seriously, starting with theater work in the United Kingdom. He often credited stage acting for teaching him discipline and focus. “The discipline of theatre is what I recommend to all actors,” he said in a 2012 interview.

Breakthrough in Dances with Wolves

Greene’s breakout role came in 1990 as Kicking Bird, a compassionate Lakota holy man in Kevin Costner’s epic western Dances with Wolves. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him only the second Canadian Indigenous actor to receive such recognition after Chief Dan George in 1971.

The role was a cultural milestone, offering authenticity and dignity at a time when Indigenous characters were often reduced to stereotypes. Greene recalled calling his wife Hilary immediately after learning of his nomination, cherishing the moment with his family.

A Career of Versatility

Following his breakthrough, Greene appeared in films including The Green Mile (1999), Thunderheart (1992), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and Wind River (2017). On television, he brought warmth and humor to series such as Northern Exposure, Longmire, The Last of Us, Tulsa King, and Reservation Dogs, a show celebrated for its focus on Indigenous voices.