Hollywood has bid farewell to a cherished actor, Graham Greene, whose talents left an indelible mark on the silver screen. Nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Kicking Bird in the 1990 epic 'Dances With Wolves,' Greene passed away on September 1st, following an undisclosed but prolonged illness, as conveyed by his agent in a heartfelt statement to NBC News. He was 73 years old. The statement, imbued with emotion, read, "We love you, my brother Greene. You are finally free."
Upon the announcement of his demise, Greene was hailed by the entertainment fraternity for his pioneering role in representing Indigenous actors. SAG-AFTRA honored him on X (formerly Twitter), noting how he "brought heart and quiet power to every role," imbuing them with depth and authenticity.
Beyond his Oscar-nominated performance, Greene's career spanned movies like 'Snow Dogs' and the beloved 'Twilight' saga, which celebrated his contributions. The 'Twilight' franchise posted on Instagram, eulogizing, "Graham Greene inspired countless voices worldwide with his reassuring presence and unwavering dedication to his community. We were privileged to collaborate with him, contributing to his unparalleled legacy."
Greene, renowned for his television roles as well, was also celebrated by his costar D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from 'Reservation Dogs.' The 23-year-old actor posted on Instagram, "You demonstrated the path and how to make a lasting impact. You were a trailblazer for every aspiring young native actor. Thank you for recognizing potential in me and sharing your wisdom through our friendship. You taught me the ropes of this industry and beyond. I can never repay you for that." He further added, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with you, to know you, and to call you Uncle."
Lou Diamond Phillips, an Emmy nominee and a frequent collaborator with Greene, also paid homage to his "brother." Posting on X, he wrote, "Heartbroken. I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Graham Greene at the tender age of 73. From 'Wolf Lake' to 'Longmire,' our friendship was beautiful. He was an actor's actor—one of the wittiest, wiliest, and warmest souls I've ever encountered. He was iconic, legendary."
Greene leaves behind his beloved wife, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter, Lilly Lazard-Greene, and his grandson, Talo.
