‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Graham Greene dies at 73

Graham Greene, the Canadian actor whose powerful presence graced films such as ‘Dances With Wolves’ and ‘The Green Mile,’ has passed away. 

The 73-year-old acclaimed performer passed away peacefully on Monday at a hospital in Toronto.

While some reports cite natural causes, others indicate a prolonged illness.

Greene’s journey to acting was unconventional. Before his celebrated career on screen, he worked as a draftsman, steelworker, and even a crew member for a rock band. He first discovered his craft in theatre during the 1970s in the UK, a path that would lead him to international acclaim.

His breakout role came as the wise and dignified Lakota holy man Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic Western ‘Dances With Wolves’.

The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and brought him widespread popularity.

As a member of the Oneida Nation of the Six Nations Reserve in southern Ontario, Greene became a trailblazer for indigenous representation in Hollywood. He built a formidable career by bringing depth, dignity, and often a wry wit to his roles.

He continued to excel in Native American parts, delivering a memorable performance as tribal police officer Walter Crow Horse in the 1992 thriller ‘Thunderheart.

He later appeared in the 1999 adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Green Mile’ as Arlen Bitterbuck, a Native American man on death row.

His prolific filmography also includes major studio hits like ‘Die Hard With A Vengeance’ (1995), Maverick (1994), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) and Wind River (2017).

Greene’s distinguished career was recognised with numerous honours. In 2004, he received the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Canadian Academy of Film and Television. In 2016, he was inducted into the Order of Canada, the country’s second-highest civilian honour.