Graham Greene, the acclaimed Canadian First Nations actor who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in “Dances with Wolves,” has died at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness. His passing marks the loss of a pioneering figure in Hollywood for Indigenous representation.
Greene died on Monday, September 1, 2025, in a Toronto hospital, as confirmed by his agent Michael Greene. In a statement, he described Greene as “a great man of morals, ethics and character” and noted, “You are finally free,” referencing Greene’s longtime agent Susan Smith who died in 2013. The news was first reported by multiple outlets within the last 24 hours.
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Greene began his career in the 1970s after working as a recording engineer. He made his screen debut in 1979 on the Canadian drama “The Great Detective” and his first film role was in the 1983 biopic “Running Brave.”
His breakthrough came in 1990 when he was cast as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s “Dances with Wolves,” a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This performance launched his Hollywood career, leading to roles in over 200 film and television productions.
Greene’s extensive filmography includes notable works such as “Thunderheart” (1992), “Maverick” (1994), “Die Hard with a Vengeance” (1995), “The Green Mile” (1999), and “Wind River” (2017). On television, he recently appeared in series like “Reservation Dogs,” “The Last of Us,” “1883,” and “Tulsa King.”
Throughout his career, Greene received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award, several Gemini Awards, the Order of Canada, and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. In June 2025, he was honored with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson Tarlo. Details regarding a remembrance celebration are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Greene was known for challenging stereotypes and advocating for authentic representation of Indigenous people. In a 2024 interview, he reflected on his early career, saying, “When I first started out, they’d hand you scripts where you had to speak the way they thought native people spoke… I don’t know anybody who behaves like that. Native people have an incredible sense of humour.” His work has left a lasting impact on the industry, paving the way for future generations.