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Graham Greene, born June 22, 1952, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario, was a trailblazing Canadian First Nations (Oneida) actor whose career spanned nearly five decades.
Before stepping into the spotlight, Greene worked as a draftsman, steelworker, and audio technician for rock bands. His journey into acting began unexpectedly when he was encouraged to audition for a play while working as a roadie.
Greene’s breakout role came in 1990 as Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This performance launched a prolific career in Hollywood, with notable roles in Thunderheart, Maverick, Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Green Mile, and Wind River.
He also made a mark on television, appearing in Northern Exposure, Longmire, Reservation Dogs, and The Last of Us.
Beyond acting, Greene was a Grammy Award winner for his spoken word work and received multiple Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards. In 2025, he was honoured with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement..
Greene was known for his humour, humility, and advocacy for authentic Indigenous representation in media. He once remarked, “My people are very funny,” challenging the stoic stereotypes often portrayed on screen.
