Graham Greene: A Voice That Echoed Beyond the Screen
The world lost a cinematic giant on September 1, 2025, when Graham Greene, the Oscar-nominated actor who brought quiet dignity and fierce intelligence to every role he touched, died at the age of 73 in Stratford, Ontario. His passing, after a long illness, marked the end of a career that spanned more than four decades and reshaped the way Indigenous characters were portrayed in film and television.
Greene was born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the Six Nations Reserve. Before acting, he worked as a welder, carpenter, and high steelworker—jobs that grounded him in the grit and resilience he would later bring to the screen. His journey into acting began in the 1970s on the stage, and by 1979, he made his television debut in The Great Detective. His first film role came in Running Brave (1983), but it was Dances with Wolves (1990) that catapulted him into international recognition.
In Dances with Wolves, Greene played Kicking Bird, a thoughtful and wise Sioux medicine man who forms a bond with Kevin Costner’s character, Lt. John Dunbar. The film, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, was groundbreaking in its portrayal of Native American culture with nuance and respect. Greene’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor—the first for a First Nations actor—and opened doors for Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
But Greene was never content to be defined by a single role. His filmography is a testament to his range and depth. He brought humor and gravitas to Maverick (1994), tension and grit to Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and heartbreaking humanity to The Green Mile (1999). He appeared in The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), Wind River (2017), and Molly’s Game (2017), each time elevating the material with his presence.
On television, Greene was a steady force. He starred in Wolf Lake, Longmire, Northern Exposure, and most recently, Tulsa King and Reservation Dogs, where his performances resonated with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. He was also the voice of Chief Rains Fall in Red Dead Redemption 2, a role that introduced him to a new generation of fans.
Greene’s accolades were many. In addition to his Oscar nomination, he won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for Children in 2000, a Gemini Award, and a Canadian Screen Award. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award earlier this year.
But perhaps his greatest legacy lies in what he represented.
Greene was a trailblazer. At a time when Indigenous actors were often relegated to stereotypes or sidelined altogether, he demanded complexity. He refused to be boxed in. “Producers would say, ‘I can’t see an Indian being that,’ and I said, ‘Well goodness gracious, why not?’” he once told Canada’s Theatre Museum. His insistence on authenticity helped pave the way for a new generation of Indigenous storytellers.
He was also a mentor and a friend. Fellow actor Lou Diamond Phillips wrote, “Heartbroken. Terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Graham Greene at only 73. From Wolf Lake to Longmire, we had a beautiful friendship. An Actor’s Actor. One of the wittiest, wiliest, warmest people I’ve ever known. Iconic and Legendary. RIP, My Brother”.
Matty Cardarople, who worked with Greene on Reservation Dogs, shared, “He was always cracking everyone up, including me. He was lighthearted, wise, hilarious. I’m tearing up as I write this. He lived the way you should. With a light heart. No ego. Not jaded. Interested. Graham, thanks for everything. Truly. You made an impact on so many people’s lives. You’ll be missed”.
Greene died peacefully, surrounded by family. His wife of 35 years, actress Hilary Blackmore, was by his side. He is also survived by his daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson, Tarlo.
His agent, Michael Greene, released a statement: “He was a great man of morals, ethics, and character and will be eternally missed. We love you, my brother Greene. God bless you”.
In the days following his death, tributes poured in from fans, colleagues, and cultural institutions. Lily Gladstone, star of Killers of the Flower Moon, wrote, “Graham Greene was one of the best to ever do it. He lived on the screen in an absolutely unparalleled way. He made everything he was in better. Funnier. Deeper. Memorable”.
Greene’s final film, Ice Fall, starring Joel Kinnaman, is set to be released posthumously. It will be the last chapter in a career that never stopped evolving, never stopped challenging, and never stopped inspiring.
As the credits roll on Graham Greene’s life, what remains is not just a body of work, but a body of truth. He gave voice to the voiceless, dignity to the overlooked, and depth to the misunderstood. He was a storyteller, a truth-teller, and a bridge between worlds.
And though he is gone, his voice echoes still—in the wind, in the words, in the hearts of those who saw themselves in his characters and felt seen for the first time.
Rest in peace, Graham Greene. You danced with wolves, and you walked with giants.
