Canada’s First Nation Actor Graham Greene Dies

Graham Greene, nan acclaimed Canadian First Nations actor, has died astatine nan property of 73. He passed distant on  September 1 successful Stratford, Ontario, aft a prolonged illness. 

Born connected June 22 1952 connected nan Six Nations Reserve successful Ontario, Greene was of Oneida descent and a proud personnel of nan Indigenous First Nations community. His early acting trade was developed astatine nan Centre for Indigenous Theatre earlier he moved into tv and film.

Greene made his tv debut successful 1979 successful The Great Detective and his big-screen debut successful Running Brave successful 1983. His profession breakthrough came pinch his portrayal of Kicking Bird, a thoughtful Lakota Sioux medicine man, successful Kevin Costner’s Dances pinch Wolves (1990). The domiciled earned him an Academy Award information for Best Supporting Actor and world acclaim. The movie itself went connected to triumph 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, cementing Greene’s spot successful cinematic history. Over much than 4 decades, Greene built a wide-ranging movie career. His credits included Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), Die Hard pinch a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), Transamerica (2005), Wind River (2017), and Molly’s Game (2017). His last completed film, nan thriller Ice Fall, has yet to beryllium released.

Alongside his movie work, Greene became a acquainted beingness connected television. He appeared successful bid specified arsenic Northern Exposure, Defiance, Longmire, Reservation Dogs, Echo, 1883, Tulsa King, The Last of Us, and Goliath. These roles showcased his versatility and helped present his activity to caller generations of audiences.

Greene’s achievements were recognised pinch galore honours. He won a Grammy Award successful 2000 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children and received aggregate Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards. In 2015 he was appointed a Member of nan Order of Canada, 1 of nan nation’s highest civilian honours. He received a prima connected Canada’s Walk of Fame successful 2021 and successful 2025 was honoured pinch nan Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, reflecting his enduring effect connected Canadian culture. In interviews, Greene often said of nan challenges Indigenous actors faced successful nan early years of his career, erstwhile roles were constricted and heavy stereotyped. Through his assemblage of work, he consistently challenged these limitations, bringing authenticity, humour and dignity to his portrayals. His occurrence opened doors for early generations of Indigenous performers.

Away from nan screen, Greene was known for his humility and barren wit. He lived a backstage life pinch his woman of 35 years, Hilary Blackmore. Together they raised their daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and welcomed a grandson, Tarlo. Graham Greene leaves down a bequest of creator excellence and taste significance. His domiciled arsenic Kicking Bird remains iconic, but his profession was defined by a breadth of performances that reached acold beyond a azygous part. As tributes move in, Greene is remembered not only arsenic an character of immense talent but besides arsenic a trailblazer whose power will resonate for decades to come.