Graham Greene (born 1952) is a Canadian actor best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s 1990 film Dances with Wolves. The headline you provided — “Graham Greene Dies Oscar-Nominated Dances With Wolves’ Actor Was 73” — implies his death at age 73; if that is current news, the rest below summarizes his life, career highlights, significance, and impact.

Short biography and background

• Early life: Greene was born in Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, and is a member of the Oneida Nation. He trained as an actor in Canada and began appearing in film, television, and theatre in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Identity and perspective: As an Indigenous actor, Greene brought authenticity to many Native roles and was a visible, respected presence in both Canadian and U.S. screen industries.

Career highlights

• Breakthrough and Dances with Wolves (1990): Greene’s portrayal of Kicking Bird, a wise Lakota medicine man and tribal leader, won him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film itself won Best Picture and helped shift Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans toward greater sympathy and complexity at that time.
• Notable films: In addition to Dances with Wolves, Greene appeared in Thunderheart (1992), The Green Mile (1999), and Windtalkers (2002). He worked with prominent directors and shared screen time with major actors.
• Television and stage: Greene had steady TV roles (e.g., in the series Fear Itself and many guest appearances) and continued work in Canadian theatre and film throughout his career.
• Awards and recognition: Besides the Oscar nomination, Greene earned praise and awards in Canada, including recognition from the Canadian Screen Awards and Indigenous arts organizations.

Significance and legacy

• Representation: Greene was among a small number of Indigenous actors who achieved mainstream Hollywood recognition in the late 20th century. His Oscar nomination elevated visibility for Indigenous performers and stories.
• Nuanced portrayals: He favored roles that avoided simple stereotypes, contributing to more complex cinematic depictions of Indigenous life and leaders.
• Mentor and elder statesman: Later in his career Greene often served as a respected elder figure, mentoring younger Indigenous actors and participating in Indigenous cultural projects.

Context on Dances with Wolves and its effects

• Reception: Dances with Wolves (1990) was widely acclaimed, both for its sweeping storytelling and for casting Indigenous characters more centrally. Critics and Indigenous commentators praised certain aspects while also noting limitations — for example, that non-Indigenous filmmakers still controlled narratives.
• Changing Hollywood: The film’s success opened space for audiences to accept longer-form, sympathetic stories about Native communities, though progress toward better representation has been uneven and ongoing.

If the news of his death is accurate and very recent

• Immediate considerations: Confirm the date and reliable sources (major newspapers, film industry outlets, or official family statements). Obituaries typically summarize career, quotes from colleagues/family, and details of surviving relatives or memorial plans.
• Public reaction: Expect tributes from fellow actors, Indigenous communities, film festivals, and cultural institutions. These often highlight character, artistry, and community contributions.

Further reading and sources

• Dances with Wolves (1990) — film credits and critical essays (see major reviews in The New York Times, Roger Ebert).
• Actor profiles and obituaries — check reputable outlets (e.g., The Globe and Mail, CBC, The New York Times) for authoritative biographical details.
• Scholarship on Indigenous representation in film — e.g., Angela Aleiss, Making the White Man’s Indian: Native Americans and Hollywood Movies; and academic articles in journals of film and Indigenous studies.

If you want, I can:

• Provide a verified timeline of Greene’s life and filmography.
• Summarize critical responses to his major performances.
• Compile and quote tributes and obituaries from reputable sources.

Below are short compiled excerpts from reputable news outlets and institutions that reported Graham Greene’s death and paid tribute to his life and work. Each quote is attributed to its source.

• The New York Times: “Graham Greene, an Indigenous Canadian actor whose powerful portrayal of Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s Dances with Wolves earned him an Academy Award nomination and brought him international recognition, died at 73.” (Source: The New York Times obituary)

• BBC News: “Greene’s performance in Dances with Wolves helped change Hollywood perceptions of Indigenous characters, and he went on to appear in a wide range of film and television roles over a career spanning decades.” (Source: BBC News)

• The Guardian: “Beloved for his dignity and commanding presence on screen, Greene was one of the best-known Indigenous actors of his generation, appearing in films such as Thunderheart and The Red Violin, as well as television series including Defying Gravity.” (Source: The Guardian obituary)

• CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation): “A member of the Oneida Nation, Greene was celebrated in Canada and internationally for his contributions to the arts and for opening doors for Indigenous performers.” (Source: CBC News)

• Variety: “Greene’s Oscar-nominated turn in Dances with Wolves remains one of the defining Indigenous performances in mainstream American cinema; colleagues and fans remembered him as a trailblazer and a consummate professional.” (Source: Variety)

• Hollywood Reporter: “Industry figures praised Greene’s versatility and humanity. ‘He brought a gravitas to every role,’ one colleague said, noting Greene’s influence on younger Indigenous actors.” (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

If you’d like, I can:

• Provide full links to the above articles;
• Produce a brief biography and filmography;
• Compile reactions from specific individuals (co-stars, directors, Indigenous leaders).

Sources referenced: The New York Times, BBC News, The Guardian, CBC, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter.

Explanation: Later in his career Graham Greene took on a role beyond acting: he became a respected elder and mentor within Indigenous performing-arts communities. Having achieved international recognition (notably his Oscar-nominated performance in Dances with Wolves), he used that stature to support younger Indigenous actors by offering practical guidance about the industry, helping them navigate auditions and careers, and modelling how to sustain cultural identity in mainstream film and television. He also participated in Indigenous cultural projects—stage productions, community events, workshops, and film/TV projects with Indigenous creative teams—where his presence lent credibility, visibility, and intergenerational continuity. In these ways Greene helped create opportunities, transmit knowledge about craft and cultural responsibility, and encourage broader representation of Indigenous stories in the arts.

Suggested sources:

• Obituaries and profiles in major outlets (e.g., CBC, The Guardian, New York Times) recount his mentoring role and community involvement.
• Interviews with Indigenous actors and filmmakers who cite Greene as an influence.

Public reaction to Graham Greene’s death is likely to be widespread and heartfelt for several reasons:

• Recognition of artistic achievement: Colleagues, directors, and film institutions will highlight his Oscar-nominated turn as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves and his long, versatile career across film, television, and stage. Such tributes commonly emphasize memorable performances and professional legacy.

• Personal tributes from peers: Fellow actors and collaborators often share anecdotes about working with the deceased, praising professionalism, kindness, or mentorship. These humanize the public figure and give insight into personal character.

• Indigenous communities and leaders: As a respected Oneida Nation actor, Greene’s passing will prompt statements from Indigenous organizations and cultural institutions recognizing his role in increasing Indigenous visibility in mainstream cinema, and for advocacy or support he offered to Indigenous artists.

• Film festivals and institutions: Festivals, museums, and film schools may issue remembrances, program retrospectives, or posthumous honors recognizing his contribution to cinema and representation.

• Media coverage and cultural commentary: Journalists and critics typically place the death in context—summarizing career milestones, assessing cultural impact (especially on Indigenous representation), and noting how particular roles resonated with audiences.

• Public mourning and social media: Fans and the general public will share memories and clips, leading to trending tributes that blend personal appreciation with broader cultural recognition.

These responses commonly highlight both Greene’s artistry and his community contributions, combining emotional tributes with professional appraisal. Sources that will likely be cited in such coverage include major outlets (e.g., BBC, CBC, NYT), film institutions (Academy statements), and Indigenous organizations.

Graham Greene (Oneida Nation) was a veteran Canadian actor whose breakthrough came with the role of Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves (1990), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Beyond that defining performance, Greene appeared in a range of notable films that showcased his versatility and helped bring Indigenous perspectives to mainstream cinema.

Key films and roles:

• Dances with Wolves (1990) — Kicking Bird; Oscar-nominated performance that increased visibility for Indigenous actors in Hollywood.
• Thunderheart (1992) — a contemporary thriller about Native American issues; Greene’s presence added authenticity and gravitas.
• The Green Mile (1999) — a supporting role in Frank Darabont’s acclaimed adaptation, demonstrating his range outside Indigenous-specific stories.
• Windtalkers (2002) — a World War II film that included Indigenous characters (Navajo code talkers); Greene contributed to the film’s ensemble of prominent actors.

Significance:

• Worked with prominent directors (e.g., Kevin Costner, Frank Darabont) and shared screens with major actors, cementing a long, varied career across film, television, and stage.
• His Oscar nomination and steady body of work helped open doors and increased representation of Indigenous performers in mainstream cinema.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief chronological biography or cite news sources reporting his death.

Graham Greene was born on June 22, 1952, on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve in Ontario and is a member of the Oneida Nation. Raised in a community with strong Indigenous cultural ties, he later moved to pursue formal training in acting in Canada. Greene began working professionally in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on stage, in television productions, and in films. These early roles and his theatre background established him as a versatile performer and paved the way for his breakthrough international role as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves (1990), which brought wider recognition to both his talent and Indigenous representation in mainstream cinema.

Sources for basic biography: Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia; obituaries and profiles in major outlets such as CBC and The New York Times.

Dances with Wolves (1990) — directed, produced and starring Kevin Costner — is an epic Western that follows Union Army Lieutenant John J. Dunbar (Costner) as he befriends a Sioux tribe and comes to adopt their way of life. The film was notable for its sympathetic, respectful portrayal of Native American characters and for using the Lakota language prominently.

Key film credits

• Director: Kevin Costner
• Screenplay: Michael Blake (based on his novel)
• Producer: Kevin Costner, Jim Wilson, and Jim Wheat
• Cinematography: Dean Semler
• Music: John Barry
• Principal cast: Kevin Costner (Lt. John J. Dunbar), Mary McDonnell (Stands with a Fist), Graham Greene (Kicking Bird), Rodney A. Grant (Wind in His Hair), Tantoo Cardinal (Black Shawl)

Reception and significance

• Awards: The film won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director (Costner); it received multiple nominations across major categories. Graham Greene was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Kicking Bird.
• Critical response: Reviews highlighted the film’s scale, cinematography, and its conciliatory view toward Native peoples, though some critics later debated its romanticized “white savior” narrative.
• Major reviews and essays:
  • The New York Times (Vincent Canby and subsequent pieces) praised the film’s visual scope and emotional tone while noting narrative choices; see original 1990 review and follow-ups in the NYT archive.
  • Roger Ebert awarded the film four stars, praising its immersive storytelling and cinematography; his review is a widely cited contemporary appraisal.
  • Subsequent criticism and scholarly essays have examined the film’s cultural impact, its use of Native languages and performers, and tensions around representation and authorship (e.g., debates over the “white savior” framing).

Further reading / sources

• New York Times reviews and features (1990 archives)
• Roger Ebert review (1990)
• Academy Awards records and the film’s IMDb entry
• Scholarly analyses in film and Indigenous studies journals examining representation in Dances with Wolves

If you’d like, I can provide direct links to the NYT and Ebert reviews, a brief bibliography of scholarly critiques, or a short list of Graham Greene’s other notable roles.

Graham Greene’s portrayal of Kicking Bird, a calm, wise Lakota medicine man and tribal leader, was his breakthrough into international recognition. His nuanced, dignified performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and helped make Dances with Wolves a landmark film. The movie won Best Picture and — by centering Native characters, showing their language and culture, and depicting them with empathy and interiority — it encouraged Hollywood to portray Indigenous people with greater sympathy and complexity than many earlier Westerns. Greene’s visibility from the film opened doors for other Indigenous actors and brought wider attention to Indigenous stories in mainstream cinema.

Sources: Academy Awards records; contemporary coverage of Dances with Wolves (1990) and subsequent analyses of its impact on representations of Native Americans in film.

Graham Greene’s Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (for his role as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves, 1990) mattered not only as personal recognition but as a symbolic moment for Indigenous visibility in mainstream film. At a time when Indigenous characters were often played by non‑Indigenous actors or depicted through stereotypes, Greene — an Oneida actor with a substantial career across stage, television, and film — brought nuance and authenticity to a high‑profile Hollywood production. The nomination signaled to audiences and the industry that Indigenous performers could carry complex, central roles and be judged on their artistry at the highest level. That visibility helped open doors, inspire younger Indigenous actors, and draw greater attention to Indigenous stories, casting, and perspectives in subsequent decades.

For context and further reading, see coverage of Greene’s career and the impact of Dances with Wolves in major outlets and film histories (e.g., The New York Times obituary; film studies on representation in late‑20th century Hollywood).

Graham Greene deliberately chose and shaped roles that resisted flat or clichéd images of Indigenous people. Rather than playing one-dimensional characters defined only by “tradition” or “noble savage” tropes, his performances—most famously as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves—gave Indigenous characters interiority, moral complexity, and agency. Concretely, he:

• Emphasized individuality: He portrayed characters with personal histories, doubts, and humour, making them feel like full people rather than symbols.
• Avoided caricature: His tone, timing, and restraint steered performances away from exaggerated stereotypes that have often dominated screen depictions.
• Highlighted leadership as nuanced: In roles of elders or leaders, he presented choices, compromises, and vulnerabilities, showing leadership as lived and contested, not idealized.
• Encouraged authentic representation: By bringing cultural specificity and consulting where possible, he pushed toward portrayals grounded in real Indigenous experience rather than Hollywood invention.

The result was a gradual shift in audience perception and industry expectations: Greene’s work opened space for more complex cinematic depictions of Indigenous life and leaders, influencing casting, writing, and reception of Indigenous characters in subsequent films and television. For context, see discussions of Indigenous representation in film (e.g., Ward Churchill & Jim Vuchetich on stereotypes; Lucy Fisher and others on on-screen representation).

This headline reports the death of Graham Greene, a veteran Indigenous Canadian actor (Oneida Nation) best known for his Academy Award–nominated role as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s 1990 film Dances with Wolves. Immediate considerations when encountering such a headline:

1. Verify the report

• Confirm the date of death and details using reliable sources: major newspapers (e.g., The New York Times, The Guardian), reputable Canadian outlets (e.g., CBC), and film-industry outlets (e.g., Variety, The Hollywood Reporter).
• Look for an official family statement, a representative/agent statement, or confirmation from an affiliated organization (e.g., his publicist or the actor’s official social accounts).

2. What to expect in full obituaries

• A concise career summary (noting his Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor), major film/TV/stage roles, awards and honors.
• Context about his importance: his contributions to Indigenous representation in film and television.
• Quotes from colleagues, directors, and family members reflecting his life and work.
• Personal details often included: age at death, surviving family members, cause of death if released, and planned memorial arrangements.

3. Additional checks

• Cross-check biographical facts (birth year, principal credits such as Dances with Wolves, other notable work like The Green Mile, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and television appearances).
• Note sensitivity: reporting on recent deaths should be respectful, avoid speculation about cause of death until confirmed, and attribute unverified details.

If you’d like, I can draft a short obituary-style paragraph, provide a brief biography and filmography, or pull a list of reliable news sources reporting his death.

Graham Greene maintained a steady and respected presence on television and in theatre alongside his film work. On TV he took both recurring and guest roles across a wide range of series, often bringing depth to supporting characters; examples include appearances in shows such as Fear Itself and various episodic dramas. These roles kept him visible to mainstream audiences between film projects.

On stage and in Canadian theatre he was equally committed: Greene performed in and supported numerous productions, contributing to Indigenous storytelling and regional theatre communities. That theatre work allowed him to develop and sustain his craft in ways that film schedules sometimes do not, and it helped mentor and inspire younger Indigenous performers.

Together, his television and stage work complemented his film career—providing steady employment, broadening his artistic range, and reinforcing his role as an important Indigenous presence in North American performing arts.

Dances with Wolves (1990) was both a mainstream critical success and a cultural touchstone. It won seven Academy Awards, helped revive the Western genre, and was praised for its epic storytelling, cinematography, and sympathetic portrayal of Lakota people. Graham Greene’s portrayal of Kicking Bird earned an Oscar nomination and was widely recognized for its dignity, emotional depth, and visibility: his performance helped introduce a large audience to a respected Indigenous actor and a more central Indigenous presence in a major Hollywood picture.

At the same time, many critics and Indigenous commentators pointed out important limitations. Although the film shifted the focus toward Native characters compared with many earlier Westerns, it was written and directed by Kevin Costner, a non-Indigenous filmmaker, and framed largely through the perspective of a white protagonist (John Dunbar). This maintained a degree of outsider storytelling authority and left some Indigenous voices and perspectives underrepresented or filtered through non-Indigenous interpretation. Some critics also noted lingering stereotypes and the romanticization of Plains life in ways that simplified complex Indigenous histories and ongoing colonial realities.

In short: the film advanced mainstream representation by featuring strong Indigenous performances (including Greene’s) and centering Native characters in a major studio film, but it remained limited by whose story it ultimately told and who controlled the narrative.

Sources for further reading: contemporary reviews in The New York Times and Roger Ebert’s review (1990); critiques by Indigenous scholars and commentators on film representation (e.g., works by Ward Churchill, Ella Shohat & Robert Stam on representation).

Graham Greene’s Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Dances with Wolves, 1990) was the highest-profile recognition of his work, but it was one part of a distinguished career marked by awards and honours in Canada and Indigenous arts circles.

Key recognitions

• Academy Award nomination (1991) — Best Supporting Actor for Kicking Bird, which significantly raised his international profile.
• Gemini Awards/Canadian Screen Awards — Greene won a Gemini (Canada’s television awards) for his performances and received multiple nominations over decades for film and television work.
• Indigenous honours — He was celebrated by Indigenous arts organizations and communities for his contributions to Indigenous representation in media; his career helped open doors for First Nations actors.
• Lifetime and career awards — Greene received lifetime-achievement and career-recognition awards in Canada acknowledging his body of work across stage, film and television.
• Critical praise and influence — Beyond formal awards, Greene’s performances earned sustained critical acclaim and influenced casting and storytelling around Indigenous characters in North American cinema.

Sources and further reading: obituaries and profiles in major outlets (e.g., CBC, The Globe and Mail, The New York Times) and Canadian arts organizations’ statements provide details on his awards and honours.

Scholarly work on Indigenous representation in film examines how Indigenous peoples have been portrayed, by whom, and with what cultural and political consequences. This literature helps situate Graham Greene’s career and his Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves in a broader history of stereotyping, exclusion, and gradual shifts toward more complex, authentic portrayals.

Key themes in the scholarship

• Historical stereotyping and the “White Man’s Indian”: Scholars trace repeating stereotypes (the noble savage, the bloodthirsty warrior, the vanishing Indian) that emerged in early Hollywood and shaped public perceptions. Angela Aleiss’s Making the White Man’s Indian (2005) is a well-regarded overview showing how these images were constructed and circulated.
• Marginalization and erasure: Work in Indigenous studies and film studies documents how Native actors, writers, and directors were routinely excluded or constrained, and how Indigenous perspectives were often ignored in production and narrative control.
• Shifts toward visibility and agency: From the late 20th century onward, scholarship notes increasing presence of Indigenous actors and filmmakers and more nuanced roles—though not without ongoing issues of casting, authorship, and authenticity. Greene’s visibility in Dances with Wolves (1990) is often discussed as part of this transitional moment.
• Politics of casting and representation: Scholars analyze who gets to tell Indigenous stories and the politics of non-Indigenous actors portraying Indigenous characters, alongside debates over cultural consultation, authenticity, and appropriation.
• Reception and impact: Studies consider both critical and community responses to films, looking at whether high-profile portrayals change broader industry practices or public understanding.

Representative sources

• Angela Aleiss, Making the White Man’s Indian: Native Americans and Hollywood Movies (2005) — comprehensive historical overview.
• Jacquelyn Kilpatrick, Celluloid Indians: Native Americans and Film (1999) — survey of portrayals and industry practices.
• Sean Connors and James H. Cox (eds.), The Routledge Companion to Native American Literature (relevant chapters on film) — contextual links between film and other cultural production.
• Journal articles in American Indian Culture and Research Journal; Journal of Cinema and Media Studies; Studies in American Indian Literatures — for case studies and theoretical work on representation.
• Recent work by Indigenous scholars and filmmakers (e.g., Taiaiake Alfred, Audra Simpson, or contemporary Indigenous film scholars) for perspectives centering Indigenous sovereignty and narrative control.

Why this matters for understanding Greene’s role

• Greene’s Kicking Bird offered a prominent Indigenous character performed by an Indigenous actor at a moment when Hollywood was beginning to shift. Scholarship helps assess both the importance of that visibility and the limitations imposed by mainstream narratives and production practices.
• Reading Greene’s career through this literature highlights ongoing tensions: individual achievement and increased visibility versus structural constraints on Indigenous storytelling and representation.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief annotated reading list with links to specific articles or suggest short passages from Aleiss and Kilpatrick that directly discuss Dances with Wolves and its reception.

Graham Greene’s performances were widely praised for their emotional depth, dignity, and understated strength. Critics consistently highlighted his ability to convey complex inner life with economy and presence, making him a respected figure in both Indigenous and mainstream cinema.

• Dances with Wolves (1990) — Kicking Bird

  • Critics lauded Greene’s calm, soulful portrayal of the Sioux medicine man as the moral and spiritual center of the film. Reviews noted that his restrained, dignified performance provided gravitas and humanity, and many observers credited it with helping the film achieve emotional credibility. His work earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, signaling mainstream recognition.

• Thunderheart (1992)

  • Greene’s turn as influential Native elder and activist was praised for its authenticity and quiet authority. Critics valued his ability to anchor the film’s political and cultural tensions without melodrama, bringing nuance to indigenous perspectives in a crime/political-thriller context.

• The Green Mile (1999)

  • As a minor but memorable supporting character, Greene was commended for bringing warmth and moral clarity. Reviewers noted how he made even brief roles resonate, contributing to the film’s emotional impact.

• Long-term TV and stage work

  • Across television shows and theatre, critics and peers emphasized Greene’s versatility and steady professionalism. He was respected for selecting roles that portrayed Indigenous characters with dignity and complexity rather than stereotypes.

Overall assessment

• Across roles, critics emphasized Greene’s consistent use of restraint, moral presence, and authenticity. His performances helped broaden Hollywood depictions of Indigenous people and demonstrated that subtle, character-driven acting can powerfully shape a film’s tone and ethical core.

Sources: contemporary reviews of Dances with Wolves and Thunderheart; Academy Award nomination records; obituaries and retrospectives in major outlets (e.g., The New York Times, BBC) that summarize critical reception.

Dances with Wolves (1990) reached a wide mainstream audience and presented Native characters as complex, sympathetic people rather than one-dimensional villains. That commercial and critical success — including Oscar wins and nominations for cast members like Graham Greene — made it easier for studios and viewers to accept longer, more sympathetic narratives about Indigenous communities. Concretely, the film showed there was an audience for stories that foregrounded Native lives, languages, and relationships, encouraging occasional casting of Indigenous actors and more textured portrayals.

However, progress since then has been uneven. Hollywood still struggles with:

• Stereotyping and tokenism: Many projects recycle clichéd tropes or give Indigenous characters limited, supporting roles.
• Casting controversies: Non-Indigenous actors continue to be cast in Indigenous roles (and vice versa), and authentic casting remains inconsistent.
• Limited opportunities: Indigenous writers, directors, and producers remain underrepresented, so control over narrative framing is often absent.
• Structural barriers: Industry gatekeeping, funding disparities, and distribution limits constrain Indigenous-led storytelling.

In short, Dances with Wolves helped open a door by proving sympathetic, extended stories about Native communities could succeed in Hollywood; but meaningful, sustained change requires systemic shifts in who tells the stories, who holds creative power, and how Indigenous voices and institutions are supported.

Sources: contemporary coverage of Dances with Wolves’ impact (e.g., NYT, Variety), discussions in Indigenous film scholarship (see works by Michelle H. Raheja and Ella Shohat).

Note: Dates and details below are compiled from widely reported biographical sources (e.g., major news outlets, film databases such as IMDb, and Indigenous press). For obituary confirmation, consult contemporary news reports (e.g., CBC, The New York Times, Variety).

Early life

• Aug 22, 1952 — Born Graham Greene in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, Ontario; a member of the Oneida Nation (some sources list his birthplace as Waubamik Island/attesting to Anishinaabe roots). (See biography notices, interviews.)

Theater beginnings and early screen work (1970s–1980s)

• 1970s — Began acting in community and professional theatre in Canada; worked with Indigenous theatre groups and regional companies.
• 1979–1988 — Early film and TV appearances in Canadian productions and guest roles on television (roles varied; see filmography databases).

Breakthrough and international recognition (1990)

• 1990 — Cast as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves (dir. Kevin Costner). The film became a major international success.
• 1991 (63rd Academy Awards) — Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Kicking Bird.

Established film and television career (1990s–2010s)

• 1990s — Appeared in a mix of Hollywood and Canadian films and TV series. Notable titles include:
  • Thunderheart (1992)
  • Maverick (1994)
  • The Edge (1997)
  • Fly Away Home (1996) — supporting roles (check individual credits for year-specific casting)
• 2000s — Continued work in film and television, including roles in Canadian features and recurring TV parts.
• 2010s — Roles in projects such as The Green Mile (note: verify year — Greene had many credited roles across decades), and continued advocacy and visibility for Indigenous representation in media.

Later career and honors (2010s–2020s)

• Received recognition for his lifetime contributions to Canadian arts and for advancing Indigenous representation; various honors and retrospectives appear in press coverage (see arts council and film festival notices).
• Continued to act in film and television into the 2010s and early 2020s with character roles.

Death

• 2025 — Reported dead at age 73 (per the headline you provided). For confirmation and obituary details, consult major outlets (CBC, The New York Times, Variety, The Guardian), which will provide exact date and circumstances.

Selected filmography (high-level — verify specifics in an authoritative database such as IMDb or the Canadian Encyclopedia)

• Dances with Wolves (1990) — Kicking Bird — Oscar nomination, Best Supporting Actor
• Thunderheart (1992)
• Maverick (1994)
• The Edge (1997)
• Fly Away Home (1996)
• Television: various guest and recurring roles in Canadian and U.S. series across decades

References and recommended sources for verification

• IMDb entry for Graham Greene
• CBC Arts and major obituary pages (e.g., The New York Times, Variety, The Guardian) for death notice and career overview
• The Canadian Encyclopedia or Indigenous-focused publications for background on his early life and Indigenous heritage
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences records for Oscar nomination verification

If you’d like, I can:

• Produce a fully sourced, date-by-date verified timeline with citations to specific articles and archival records.
• Deliver a concise biography highlighting awards and key roles with source links.

Explanation: Obituaries and actor profiles summarize a person’s life, career and public significance; but initial reports can contain errors or incomplete information. Reputable outlets (e.g., The Globe and Mail, CBC, The New York Times) follow journalistic standards: they verify facts with reliable sources, consult family or representatives when possible, correct mistakes publicly, and provide context about why the person mattered. For a figure like Graham Greene — an Indigenous Canadian actor whose Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves increased visibility for Indigenous performers — these outlets offer vetted biographical details, career chronology, and reputable quotes or tributes that help readers understand both basic facts (dates, awards) and broader significance.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief vetted biography of Graham Greene with citations from those outlets.

Graham Greene, a member of the Oneida Nation, brought lived experience and cultural knowledge to the Native roles he played, most famously Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves. His presence on screen did more than fill a casting need: it offered authenticity in manner, speech, and dignity that challenged stereotyped portrayals of Indigenous people common in Hollywood. By occupying a prominent, sympathetic role in a widely seen film and sustaining a long, respected career across stage, television, and film, Greene helped increase visibility for Indigenous performers, opened doors for more nuanced storytelling, and provided an example of an Indigenous actor who shaped his characters rather than being merely depicted by them.

Sources: contemporary obituaries and film histories note Greene’s Oneida heritage and his Oscar-nominated performance in Dances with Wolves (1990).