Graham Greene passed away from a long illness. Photo Credit: Everette Collection/Shutterstock
Graham Green, a highly acclaimed Canadian First Nations actor, passed away at the age of 73. He passed away on September 1st in Stratford, Ontario.
Born on June 22, 1952 at Ontario’s Six Nations Reserve, Green was of Oneida descent and a proud member of the First Nations community of Indigenous peoples. His early acting crafts were developed in Indigenous theatre centres before moving to television and film.
Green made his television debut in 1979 The Great Detective And his big screen debut Running bravely 1983. His career breakthrough came with the portrayal of Kick Bird, Kevin Costner, a thoughtful Lakota Sue Medicine Man Dance with the wolf (1990). This role won him an Academy Award nomination for his best supporting actor and international acclaim. The film itself won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, solidifying the green spot in the film’s history. Over the course of over 40 years, Green has built a wide range of film careers. His credits are included Thunder Heart (1992), Maverick (1994), I’ll die hard in vengeance (1995), Green Mile (1999), Transamerica (2005), Windriver (2017), and Molly’s Game (2017). His final completed film, the thriller Ice autumnnot released yet.
Along with his films, Green has become a familiar face on television. He appeared in the series like this Northern Exposure, Rebellion, Long Mire, Reserved dog, echo, 1883, Tulsa King, Our Lastand Goliath. These roles demonstrated his versatility and helped him introduce his work to a new generation of audiences.
Green’s achievements were recognized by many honors. He won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Kids in 2000, and won multiple Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards. In 2015 he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest civilian honors in the country. He received the star in 2021 for Canadian Walking Fame and in 2025 he received the Governor’s Governor’s Performing Arts Award for 2025, reflecting his lasting impact on Canadian culture. In interviews, Green often talked about the challenges faced by Indigenous actors who faced early in his career, with limited roles and highly stereotypical roles. Throughout his work, he consistently challenged these limits, bringing credibility, humor and dignity to his portrayal. His success opened the door for future generations of indigenous performers.
Away from the screen, Green was known for his humility and dry wit. He lived with his 35-year-old wife, Hilary Blackmore. Together they raised their daughter, Lily Lazare Green, and welcomed their grandson, Tarro. Graham Greene leaves behind a legacy of artistic excellence and cultural significance. His role as a bird kick remains iconic, but his career was defined by a wide range of performances that have reached far beyond the single part. As the tribute pours, Green is remembered not only as an immeasurable talented actor, but also as a trail blazer whose influence will resonate for decades to come.
