Graham Greene: Legendary 'Dances with Wolves' Actor Dies at 73

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The film world mourns the passing of First Nations (Oneida) Canadian actor Graham Greene, who passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025.

The Oscar-nominated actor passed away at the age of 73 after a long illness, as reported by Deadline.

Graham Greene is best known for his captivating role as Kicking Bird in the epic film "Dances with Wolves" (1990), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination.

His manager, Gerry Jordan, confirmed the sad news, stating that the cause of death was "natural causes."

Graham Greene, the Oscar-nominated actor from 'Dances with Wolves,' 'The Green Mile,' 'Reservation Dogs' and more, has died. He was 73 https://t.co/ibF4FHyVoA pic.twitter.com/ofvGkxOZQx

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 2, 2025

Graham Greene died on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the age of 73.

His manager confirmed that Graham Greene died peacefully at his home in Stratford, Ontario.

The official cause of death, announced by Greene's manager, was "natural causes" following a long illness.

“He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed,” Greene’s agent Michael Greene (no relation) said in a statement to Deadline.

“You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he added, referencing the actor’s longtime agent, who died in 2013.

Graham Greene is survived by his wife, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson, Tarlo.

Graham Greene was born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, a Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada.

He is a member of the Oneida tribe of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Before entering the world of acting, Graham Greene had a diverse professional background.

He worked as a draftsman, a steelworker, a welder, and even as an audio technician for a rock band, demonstrating his versatility and rich life experience.

His acting career began in the 1970s, where he appeared in various productions in Canada and the UK.

His television debut came in the series "The Great Detective" in 1979, followed by his film debut in "Running Brave" in 1983, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.

Graham Greene's rise to fame came with his role as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" (1990).

This role not only earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor but also paved the way for the representation of Indigenous actors in Hollywood.

Besides "Dances with Wolves," Graham Greene has also starred in several other important films, including "Thunderheart" (1992), "Maverick" (1994), "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995), and "The Green Mile" (1999).

He has had roles in series such as "Spirit Bay," "Northern Exposure" as Leonard Quinhagak, and hosted "Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science."

Throughout his career, Graham Greene received numerous awards, such as two Gemini Awards, the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement, and a Canadian Screen Award for his role in 'Seeds.'

Graham Greene also won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.

In 2015, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors.

In June 2025, just months before his death, Graham Greene received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

He also has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.