Graham Greene, Trailblazing Indigenous Actor and Oscar Nominee, Dies at 73 in Toronto

A Pioneer’s Final Curtain Call

Graham Greene, a trailblazing Canadian First Nations actor who opened doors for Indigenous actors in Hollywood, died September 1, 2025, in a Toronto hospital after a long illness. His passing was announced by his manager Gerry Jordan, who described it as the “peaceful passing of award-winning legendary Canadian actor Graham Greene.”

Legacy of Excellence

Greene’s breakthrough role came when Kevin Costner cast him as Kicking Bird in the 1990 Western ‘Dances with Wolves’. The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, among the film’s impressive 12 nominations and seven wins, including Best Picture.

One of the most respected Indigenous actors of his generation, Greene appeared in more than 200 television shows and movies. His journey to acting was unique, having worked as a steelworker, welder, and rock band roadie before finding his calling. His impressive filmography includes roles in ‘The Green Mile’, ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’, and recent television appearances in ‘American Gods’, ‘The Last of Us’, ‘Tulsa King’, and ‘Reservation Dogs’.

Honors and Recognition

Throughout his career, Greene accumulated numerous accolades, including two Gemini Awards, a Canadian Screen Award, a Grammy Award for best spoken word album for children, and in 2025, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. He received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021 and was a member of the Order of Canada.

Personal Life and Final Days

Born in 1952 in Ohsweken, on Canada’s Six Nations Reserve, Greene began his acting career in theater and was appearing in professional stage productions by the 1970s. He is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, and his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene. He passed away at a Toronto hospital with his wife at his side, leaving behind a legacy of a man who, as his agent noted, “loved all he did for his people and for the world”.