The world mourns the loss of Graham Greene, the celebrated Canadian actor whose career spanned over four decades and left a lasting impact on Hollywood and Indigenous representation in media. Greene, best known for his Academy Award–nominated performance as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves (1990), passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, at the age of 73 in Stratford, Ontario. He was surrounded by loved ones, including his wife, actress Hilary Blackmore.
Greene’s manager, Gerry Jordan, confirmed that his death was due to natural causes. While his passing marks the end of an era, Greene’s work and the path he paved for Indigenous performers continue to inspire audiences worldwide.
From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, Greene was a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Six Nations Reserve. Before pursuing acting, he worked as a carpenter, steelworker, welder, and even a rock band roadie. These early experiences shaped his resilience and grounded perspective, which later defined his acting career.
In the 1970s, Greene began exploring acting more seriously, starting with theater work in the United Kingdom. He often credited stage acting for teaching him discipline and focus. “The discipline of theatre is what I recommend to all actors,” he said in a 2012 interview.
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