Graham Greene, the legendary Canadian actor best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves, has died at the age of 73.
His agent confirmed the news, describing Greene’s passing as peaceful and marking the end of a career that spanned decades and left a significant mark on both Canadian and international cinema.
Greene died on Monday, September 1, in a Toronto hospital, according to a statement from his manager, Gerry Jordan, shared with CBC News and reported by the BBC.
“It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of award-winning legendary Canadian actor Graham Greene,” Jordan said.
Tributes have since poured in, with many reflecting on the actor’s quiet brilliance, dry wit, and his unique ability to command the screen with both gravity and charm.
His agent, Michael Greene (no relation), told Deadline: “He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed. You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he added, referencing Greene’s longtime agent who passed away in 2013.
Greene rose to international prominence for his performance as Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka) in Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic Dances with Wolves, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The film went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and remains a cultural touchstone for its portrayal of the American frontier and Indigenous characters. Greene’s performance was widely praised for its depth and authenticity, helping to shift mainstream portrayals of Native characters in Hollywood.
Reflecting on the project in a 2017 interview with Reader’s Digest Canada, Greene joked that his favourite part of filming was the horse he rode:
“He and I got on like a house on fire,” he said. “On the last day I was shooting, this kid came up and told me it had been his — turns out he’d had to sell it. After filming, I went to the producers and said, ‘Make sure this kid gets his horse back. Take it out of my salary if you have to.’”
Though his career is remembered for its highlights on the big screen, Greene also made notable appearances on television. His first screen credit came in 1979 in the Canadian drama series The Great Detective, followed by a breakout film appearance in 1983’s Running Brave.
He later landed roles in a string of major films throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including Maverick, Die Hard With a Vengeance, The Green Mile, and even as part of The Twilight Saga in its later entries.
Television audiences also recognised Greene from roles in Northern Exposure, Murder She Wrote, Lonesome Dove: The Series, Being Erica, Longmire, and Goliath.
In 2000, Greene added a Grammy to his list of accolades for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for Listen to the Storyteller, showcasing his versatility as a performer beyond film and TV.
Despite his success in the arts, Greene once described acting as something he stumbled into.
“I started out as a carpenter, a welder, a draftsman, a carpet layer, a roadie and an audio tech,” he told Reader’s Digest Canada. “I stumbled into acting and I thought, ‘These people keep me in the shade, give me food and water, take me over to where I say what I’m supposed to say, then they take me back. Wow — this is the life of a dog.’”
While Greene’s humour and humility made him beloved by his colleagues, it was his consistency and integrity that cemented his reputation across the industry.
The cause of his death was confirmed as natural causes following a lengthy illness, his team has said.
Graham Greene is survived by his wife Hilary Blackmore, daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and grandson Tarlo.
His death marks the passing of one of Canada’s most celebrated actors, whose legacy will endure through the powerful, often trailblazing roles he brought to life.