Life and Career of Canadian Graham Greene (Actor) - Film, TV, Theatre & Oscar-Nominated

Graham Greene Biography

Graham Greene CM (June 22, 1952 – September 1, 2025) was a Canadian First Nations (Oneida) actor and recording artist. He became world famous for playing Kicking Bird in the film Dances with Wolves (1990), a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Graham Greene acted in many popular films, including Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), Skins (2002), Transamerica (2005), Casino Jack (2010), Winter’s Tale (2014), The Shack (2017), and Wind River (2017). Graham Greene also appeared in many TV shows such as Northern Exposure, The Red Green Show, Longmire, 1883, Reservation Dogs, The Last of Us, and Tulsa King.

Early Life

Graham Greene was born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, on the Six Nations Reserve. His father, John Greene, worked as a paramedic and maintenance man, while his mother was Lillian Greene. Graham Greene grew up in Ontario and also lived in Hamilton when he was young.

Before becoming an actor, Graham Greene worked as a draftsman, steelworker, and welder. He also worked as an audio technician for rock bands. A musician friend encouraged him to try acting, which led him to theatre work in Toronto and England in the 1970s.

Acting Career

Theatre: Graham Greene often performed with Native Earth Performing Arts. He gained recognition for his role in Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. Later, he appeared in plays at the Stratford Festival, including The Merchant of Venice.

Television: Graham Greene first TV role was in The Great Detective (1979). He later starred in Spirit Bay, Northern Exposure, The Red Green Show, Wolf Lake, Being Erica, Longmire, 1883, Reservation Dogs, and The Last of Us.

Film: Graham Greene biggest break came with Dances with Wolves (1990). He went on to star in Thunderheart, Maverick, Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Green Mile, Transamerica, Molly’s Game, and other major films.

Voice & Other Work: Graham Greene narrated documentaries and voiced characters, including Chief Rains Fall in the video game Red Dead Redemption 2.

Awards & Recognition

Graham Greene was nominated for an Academy Award and won many honors, including a Grammy Award, Gemini Award, Canadian Screen Award, and a Dora Mavor Moore Award. In 2015, Graham Greene was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (CM). In 2025, shortly before his passing, he received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

Personal Life

Graham Greene married Hilary Blackmore in 1990. They lived near Toronto and had one child together. He was also related to fellow actor Gary Farmer (second cousin once removed). Greene loved writing, building boats, playing golf, and spending time with his cats.

Graham Greene went through personal struggles, including a period of depression in the late 1990s, but he overcame them with help from friends and colleagues.

Death

Graham Greene passed away on September 1, 2025, in Stratford, Ontario, at the age of 73.

Graham Greene is remembered as one of Canada’s greatest Indigenous actors, a man who brought powerful and diverse Native characters to screens worldwide.

FAQs about Graham Greene

1. What was Graham Greene real name?

- His real name was Graham Greene, the same name he used in his career.

2. How old was Graham Greene when he died?

- Graham Greene was 73 years old, born on June 22, 1952, and died on September 1, 2025.

3. What was Graham Greene career?

- Graham Greene was an actor and recording artist, active in film, television, and theatre from 1976 to 2025.

4. Did Graham Greene have a formal acting education?

- No, Graham Greene did not graduate from a formal theatre school. He worked in theatre in the 1970s and learned acting through experience, including work in Toronto and England.

5. Who were Graham Greene parents?

- Graham Greene father was John Greene, a paramedic and maintenance man, and his mother was Lillian Greene.

6. Did Graham Greene have siblings?

- The available info on the Internet does not mention siblings, but Graham Greene was related to actor Gary Farmer as a second cousin once removed.

7. Who was Graham Greene wife?

- Graham Greene was married to Hilary Blackmore from 1990 until his death in 2025.

8. Did Graham Greene have children?

- Yes, Graham Greene had one child.

9. What was Graham Greene nationality and ethnicity?

- Graham Greene was Canadian by nationality and belonged to the Oneida First Nation (Indigenous/First Nations ethnicity).

10. What were Graham Greene health issues and cause of death?

- In 1997, Graham Greene suffered from a major depressive episode and was hospitalized, but he recovered. He passed away on September 1, 2025, in Stratford, Ontario, at the age of 73. The cause of death was not publicly stated.