Graham Greene (actor)

Graham Greene was a Canadian First Nations actor and recording artist of Oneida descent, best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as Kicking Bird in *Dances with Wolves* (1990).

Graham Greene was a Canadian First Nations actor and recording artist of Oneida descent, best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as Kicking Bird in *Dances with Wolves* (1990). He had a career spanning film, television, and theatre, and was widely regarded as one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous performers. Born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, he became an important cultural figure in Canadian screen history.

Early life and background

Greene was born in 1952 on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario, and was Oneida of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. He grew up in Ontario before beginning a career in performance.

Acting career

He made his television debut in 1979 and his film debut in 1983, then achieved international recognition with *Dances with Wolves* in 1990. His later work included film and television roles across North America.

Recognition and legacy

Greene received an Academy Award nomination for *Dances with Wolves* and is widely recognized as a major Indigenous performer in Canadian screen history. His career is often noted for helping increase visibility for First Nations actors.

Death

Greene died on September 1, 2025, in Stratford, Ontario, after a long illness. He was 73 years old.