Graham Greene, Oscar-nominated Actor Known for ‘Dances with Wolves’, Dies at 73

Graham Greene, the acclaimed Canadian First Nations actor, has passed away at the age of 73 in Toronto following a long illness. Best known for his role as the Lakota Sioux medicine man Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s ‘Dances with Wolves’, Greene received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in the 1990 film. His career spanned decades, with notable roles in films such as ‘Thunderheart’, ‘Maverick’, ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’, and ‘The Green Mile’. Greene’s legacy also extended to television, with recent appearances in Taika Waititi’s ‘Reservation Dogs’ and HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’. Greene, born in 1952 on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, was a pioneer in Hollywood for Indigenous actors, often challenging stereotypical portrayals. Throughout his career, Greene won multiple accolades including Grammy, Gemini, and Canadian Screen awards. He was awarded the Canadian Governor General’s performing arts award for lifetime achievement in 2024. Greene is survived by his wife Hilary Blackmore, daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo. His death marks the end of a significant chapter in both Canadian and international cinema.