Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene passes away at 73

TORONTO: Acclaimed Indigenous actor Graham Greene, best known for his powerful performance in Dances with Wolves, has died at the age of 73. The actor passed away on Monday in a Toronto hospital following a prolonged illness, his agent Michael Greene confirmed.

Greene, a member of the Oneida Nation, earned widespread recognition and an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Kicking Bird in the 1990 epic film directed by Kevin Costner. The role marked a turning point in his career and helped open doors for greater Indigenous representation in Hollywood.

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“Graham was a man of deep morals, integrity, and heart,” said agent Michael Greene in a tribute shared with PEOPLE. “He will be missed dearly, not only by his family and friends, but by a global audience who were touched by his work and his spirit.”

Greene’s former agent, Susan Smith, who passed away in 2013, was also mentioned in the emotional tribute, “Susan is meeting you at the gates of heaven, God bless you. You are finally free.”

Born in Ohsweken, Ontario, Greene entered the world of acting after working a variety of trades, including carpentry and sound engineering. His career began in Canadian television with The Great Detective in 1979 and soon expanded to major film and television roles across North America.

Along with his Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves, which earned 12 nominations and won seven Academy Awards, Greene appeared in dozens of well-known films including Maverick (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), and two installments of The Twilight Saga.

In a 2017 interview with Reader’s Digest Canada, Greene reflected on his most cherished memory from Dances with Wolves: his bond with the horse he rode during filming. “He and I got on like a house on fire,” Greene said. When he learned the horse had been sold by its young owner, Greene insisted the production help return it, offering to cover the cost himself.

His body of work extended to the small screen as well, with roles in series such as Northern Exposure, Murder, She Wrote, Longmire, Being Erica, Lonesome Dove: The Series, and Goliath. He also earned a Grammy Award in 2000 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for Listen to the Storyteller.

Greene is survived by his wife, actress Hilary Blackmore, their daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo.

His passing marks the loss of a trailblazing figure in cinema, whose presence brought authenticity, strength, and humanity to every role he played.

KEVIN COSTNER PAYS TRIBUTE

Greene’s passing sparked heartfelt tributes across the film industry, with Dances with Wolves director and co-star Kevin Costner leading the remembrances. In a moving Instagram post, Costner reflected on Greene’s dedication to his craft, particularly his effort to learn the Lakota language for the role. “He was a master at work and a wonderful human being,” Costner wrote. “I’m grateful to have been witness to this part of his lasting legacy. Rest in peace, Graham.”

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Other colleagues echoed the sentiment. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, who worked with Greene on Wolf Lake and Longmire, called him “an actor’s actor” and praised his warmth, wit, and legacy. “One of the wittiest, wiliest, warmest people I’ve ever known,” Phillips shared on social media. Fellow actor Gil Birmingham (Twilight, Yellowstone) highlighted Greene’s influence on Native representation in film, saying, “His great heart was only matched by his wickedly funny sense of humor.”