Hollywood and fans worldwide are mourning Graham Greene, the acclaimed Indigenous actor best known for Dances With Wolves. He passed away at 73 after a long illness.
Graham Greene Passes Away in Toronto
Canadian First Nations actor Graham Greene died on September 1, 2025, in a Toronto hospital following a prolonged illness. He was 73 years old.
Michael Greene confirmed the sad news and paid tribute:
“He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed. You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he said, referring to Greene’s longtime agent who died in 2013.
Early Life and Acting Beginnings
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, Greene worked different jobs before stepping into acting. He began his career on stage in the 1970s, performing in theater productions across Canada and the UK.
His first TV role came in 1979 with The Great Detective. He later made his film debut in Running Brave (1983).
Breakthrough Role in Dances With Wolves
Greene’s big break came in 1990 when he played Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s award-winning epic Dances With Wolves. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making history for Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
The movie became a massive success, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and launched Greene into international stardom.
Hollywood Career and Notable Roles
After Dances With Wolves, Greene appeared in several hit films and TV shows, including:
- Thunderheart (1992)
- Maverick (1994)
- Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
- The Green Mile (1999)
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
- Wind River (2017)
- Molly’s Game (2017)
On television, he featured in Northern Exposure, Longmire, American Gods, Defiance, 1883, and Tulsa King. His final appearances include FX’s Reservation Dogs, continuing his advocacy for Indigenous storytelling.
Awards and Legacy
Greene’s remarkable career earned him:
- Grammy Award
- Gemini Award
- Canadian Screen Award
- A star on Canada’s Walk of Fame
Earlier in 2025, he was honored with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, one of Canada’s highest cultural distinctions.
Greene never lost touch with his roots, using his platform to champion Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry.
Family and Survivors
Graham Greene is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson Tarlo.
