Graham Greene, the beloved Canadian actor celebrated for his powerful roles and groundbreaking contributions to Indigenous representation in film and television, has passed away at the age of 73.
His manager, Gerry Jordan, confirmed the news in a statement to CBC News, saying that Greene died peacefully in Stratford, Ontario, on September 1 after a long illness. The actor’s death was attributed to natural causes. At the time of his passing, his wife, Hilary Blackmore, was by his side in a Toronto hospital.
Greene’s career was defined by his ability to bring empathy and depth to his characters. He rose to international acclaim with his Oscar-nominated role as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic Dances With Wolves, becoming the first Canadian nominated for an Academy Award since Chief Dan George in 1971. Greene later reflected on that milestone moment, recalling how he immediately phoned his wife Hilary to share the news before their phone began ringing off the hook.
Before Hollywood, Greene worked in a wide variety of jobs, including carpenter, steelworker, and even roadie for a rock band. It wasn’t until the 1970s that he found his footing on the stage in the UK, crediting theater for giving him the discipline that shaped his craft. “The discipline of theatre is what I recommend to all actors,” he once said in a 2012 interview.
His body of work spans across celebrated films like The Green Mile and Wind River, as well as acclaimed television series including Tulsa King and The Last of Us. Beyond his acting, Greene was a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Six Nations Reserve in southern Ontario, and his career is often remembered as a pioneering force for Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
Colleagues and fans have shared heartfelt tributes. Actor Matty Cardarople, who worked with Greene on Reservation Dogs, wrote that Greene was “lighthearted, wise, hilarious,” and someone who lived life “with a light heart, no ego, not jaded, interested.” He added that Greene “made an impact on so many people’s lives” and would be deeply missed.
Greene’s humor and humility were trademarks of his personality. When asked what career path he might have followed if not acting, he joked about his varied early jobs, saying: “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!”
He is survived by his wife Hilary Blackmore, his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson Tarlo. His legacy lives on through the groundbreaking roles he brought to life, his trailblazing contributions to Indigenous representation, and the warmth he left behind in those who knew him.
