‘Dances With Wolves,’ ‘The Green Mile’ Actor Graham Greene Dead At 73

Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene died September 1 at the age of 73.

Best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Kicking Bird in “Dances With Wolves,” Greene passed away in a Toronto hospital after a long illness. Loved ones, colleagues, and fans are remembering him with warmth and gratitude, honoring a gifted actor whose spirit and legacy will live on.

“He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed,” Greene’s agent Michael Greene said in a statement to Deadline.

Canadian actor Graham Greene arrives for the Steven Tyler 4th Annual Grammy Awards Viewing Party, benefitting Janie’s Fund, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, on April 3, 2022. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven,” he said, making reference to the star’s long-time agent who passed away in 2013.

Greene was highly respected in the First Nations community and credited for encouraging Indigenous youth to follow their dreams. Born on a reserve, Green had a humble upbringing and worked odd jobs before he began acting. He made his screen debut in 1979 in “The Great Detective” before he secured his first film role in “Running Brave, in 1993.

His career took flight after Kevin Costner cast him as one the main characters in his 1990 Western movie “Dances with Wolves.” The movie went on to earn 12 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Graham Greene speaks onstage during D23 Expo 2022 at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on September 10, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Greene’s other notable credits included the 1994 hit “Maverick,” also starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, “Die Hard with a Vengeance” (1995) with Bruce Willis, and “The Green Mile” (1999) with Tom Hanks. He also appeared in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “Molly’s Game” with Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Costner.

The talented actor starred opposite Val Kilmer in “Thunderheart,” and opposite Felicity Huffman and Taylor Sheridan in “Tranasmerica.” He also starred opposite Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen in “Wind River,” and was featured in “Tulsa King.” (RELATED: ‘Pool Of Blood’: Attendee Found Dead At ‘Burning Man’ Festival)

Graham Greene has sadly passed away at the age of 73. pic.twitter.com/AQdfLXwBZW

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 1, 2025

The entertainment world is united in mourning the loss of a gifted actor whose presence on screen carried depth, dignity, and heart. Greene’s legacy lives on through the characters he brought to life on screen and the countless lives he touched along the way.