Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene, known worldwide for his breakout role in the hit movie “Dances With Wolves,” has died at 73.
Greene passed away on September 1 in a Toronto hospital after a long illness, his representatives confirmed.
The Canadian-born actor was celebrated not only for his decades-long film and television career but also for his role as a mentor and inspiration within the First Nations community.
“He was a great man of morals, ethics, and character and will be eternally missed,” Greene’s agent Michael Greene said in a statement to Deadline.
“You are finally free.
“Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he added, referencing Greene’s longtime agent who died in 2013.
Greene was born on a First Nations reserve.
He credited his humble beginnings with shaping his perspective as both an artist and a man.
Before turning to acting, he worked a series of odd jobs to make ends meet.
In 1979, he made his first television appearance on “The Great Detective.”
Four years later, he secured his first film role in “Running Brave.”
His career reached new heights when Kevin Costner cast him in the 1990 Western epic “Dances With Wolves.”
Greene played Kicking Bird, a Lakota Sioux medicine man.
His performance earned Greene an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The film went on to receive 12 Oscar nominations and took home seven awards, including Best Picture.
Following “Dances With Wolves,” Greene became one of the most respected Indigenous actors in Hollywood.
He starred in “Maverick” (1994) alongside Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, followed by “Die Hard with a Vengeance” (1995) opposite Bruce Willis.
In 1999, he appeared with Tom Hanks in “The Green Mile,” a critically acclaimed adaptation of Stephen King’s novel.
His career also extended to popular franchises and acclaimed dramas.
He appeared in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” “Molly’s Game” with Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Costner, and in Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River” alongside Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen.
Greene also starred opposite Val Kilmer in “Thunderheart” and with Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica.”
Most recently, he was featured in Paramount+’s crime drama series “Tulsa King.”
Beyond his screen work, Greene was admired for his impact on Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry.
He encouraged young Native actors to pursue careers in film and television, breaking barriers that had long excluded Indigenous voices from mainstream Hollywood.
Friends and colleagues praised him for his warmth, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to his craft.
The entertainment world has united in mourning his death, remembering not only a talented performer but also a man of integrity and depth.
Greene leaves behind a body of work that spanned decades and genres, from Westerns to thrillers, dramas to blockbusters.
His legacy endures in the characters he brought to life and the countless lives he touched both on and off the screen.
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