‘Dances With Wolves’ Star Dies – Industry Tributes Pour In

Actor Graham Greene, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Dances With Wolves, has died at the age of 73.

His agent, Michael Greene, who is not related, confirmed that the actor passed away Sunday afternoon in a hospital in Toronto. Greene’s wife, Hilary Blackmore, was with him at the time of his death.

Michael shared that Greene was a man of strong values who cared deeply about his people and the world. “You are finally free,” Michael said in a message for the late actor, adding that his former agent Susan Smith would meet him at Heaven’s gate.

The cause of death has not been revealed, though reports say he had been battling a prolonged illness.

Greene’s career began in the early 1980s, with roles in films such as Running Brave and Al Pacino’s Revolution. His breakthrough came in 1990 when he played Kicking Bird, a Sioux medicine man, in Dances With Wolves opposite Kevin Costner.

The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, though the award ultimately went to Joe Pesci for Goodfellas.

Over the years, Greene became a familiar face in both film and television. His credits include The Green Mile, Snow Dogs, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Wind River, and Molly’s Game. On television, he appeared in shows like American Gods and Riverdale.

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

After news of his death, friends, colleagues, and fans shared their tributes online. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Heartbroken. Terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Graham Greene at only 73. From Wolf Lake to Longmire, we had a beautiful friendship. An Actor’s Actor. One of the wittiest, wiliest, warmest people I’ve ever known. Iconic and Legendary. RIP, My Brother.”

Jordan Maison, co-founder of Cinelinx, also remembered the late actor, writing: “RIP Graham Greene. Every time he popped up on screen when I was a kid, my mom would excitedly point him out for being an actual Native on the screen. Able to be deadly serious and infinitely hilarious (even in smaller roles like Last of Us), he ate up the screen. Nʌki’wah brother.”

Fans across social media also celebrated Greene’s work, remembering his impact in both big and small roles, and honoring him as a trailblazer for Indigenous representation in film and television.

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