Graham Greene, a trailblazing Canadian First Nations actor who opened doors for Indigenous actors in Hollywood, died September 1 in a Toronto hospital after a long illness. The Oscar nominee from Dances with Wolves was 73.
“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.
Greene’s big breakthrough came several years later when Kevin Costner cast him as Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka), one the main characters in his 1990 Western Dances with Wolves. The film landed 12 Academy Award nominations — including one for Greene as Best Supporting Actor — and won seven, including Best Picture.
His scene catering to racists looking to hunt natives in Maverick was Mel Brooks-level funny. His timing and delivery was 10/10. I didn’t not know he was Canadian until I saw this. Only 73, but what an impact he made.