Canadian First Nations actor Graham Greene, known for his groundbreaking roles in Hollywood, died on September 1, 2023, at the age of 73 following a prolonged illness in a Toronto hospital. Greene’s agent, Michael Greene, confirmed the news in a statement, highlighting the actor’s moral character and expressing a heartfelt goodbye, stating, “You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” in reference to Greene’s longtime agent who passed away in 2013.
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, located on the Six Nations Reserve, Greene embarked on a diverse career path before pursuing acting. He initially held various jobs while honing his craft in theater. By the 1970s, he was performing in professional productions across Canada and England. Greene made his television debut in 1979 with an appearance in the Canadian drama series The Great Detective, followed by his film debut in Running Brave in 1983.
The actor’s breakthrough came when he was cast by Kevin Costner as Kicking Bird in the acclaimed film Dances With Wolves, which premiered in 1990. The film garnered 12 Academy Award nominations, winning seven, including Best Picture. Greene’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, marking a pivotal moment in his career and opening doors for Indigenous actors in the industry.
Following his success in Dances With Wolves, Greene appeared in numerous high-profile films, including Maverick (1994) alongside Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995) with Bruce Willis, The Green Mile (1999) featuring Tom Hanks, and The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. He also starred in Transamerica (2005) with Felicity Huffman, and in Wind River (2017), directed by Taylor Sheridan, who later cast him in two series for Paramount+, 1883 and Tulsa King.
Greene’s extensive television credits include regular roles in popular series such as Wolf Lake, Defiance, and Marvel’s Echo. He also made recurring appearances in Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove: The Series, Being Erica, Longmire, Goliath, and American Gods.
In addition to his Oscar nomination, Greene received a Grammy Award, Gemini Award, and Canadian Screen Award, along with a nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award earlier this year.
One of Greene’s final performances was in the acclaimed FX series Reservation Dogs, which continues his legacy of breaking barriers for Indigenous talent in Hollywood. As he remained active in his career until the end, Greene has one final film, a thriller titled Ice Fall, featuring Joel Kinnaman, set to be released posthumously.
Graham Greene is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore, their daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo. His contributions to film and television have left an indelible mark on the industry, ensuring his legacy will be remembered for years to come.
