Graham Greene, the Academy Award–nominated actor whose career spanned more than four decades across film, television, and stage, passed away at the age of 73 on September 1. Greene, a Oneida member from the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, was widely celebrated for his ability to bring depth, humanity, and authenticity to every role he inhabited.
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, Greene began his acting career in Canadian theater before moving into film and television. His breakthrough performance came in 1990 with Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves, in which he played the wise and dignified medicine man Kicking Bird. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and firmly established him in the international spotlight.
Greene went on to become one of the most recognizable and respected Indigenous actors in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), Snow Dogs (2002), and Wind River (2017). He became especially well known to fans of the Western genre. In addition to his role in Dances with Wolves, he also had memorable roles in Thunderheart (1992) and Maverick (1994), as well as in television series including Lonesome Dove: The Series, Longmire, and Into the West. His work in these projects brought a fresh voice and perspective to a genre long dominated by stereotypes, allowing audiences to see Indigenous characters with nuance and dignity.
In 2020, Greene starred as Cliff McGrath in the family adventure film Blue Ridge. The movie’s strong reception on INSP not only showcased Greene’s enduring screen presence but also paved the way for the creation of the television spinoff, Blue Ridge: The Series.
Greene’s work was honored not only by the entertainment industry but also by Indigenous communities, who recognized him as a trailblazer for representation in film and television. His legacy is marked by the stories he helped tell and the barriers he broke down for those who would follow.
He is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo, as well as a global community of fans who will remember his voice, humor, and artistry.
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The folks who can’t stop talking about classic Westerns, swapping fun trivia, and finding new ways to celebrate cowboy grit (and maybe the occasional outlaw charm). We love sharing stories that bring the spirit of the West to life, one post at a time.
