New York (AP) — Graham Greene, a trailblazing Indigenous actor whose lengthy and profitable profession on the large and small display screen included an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Kicking Hen in “Dances with Wolves,” has died. He was 73.
Greene died Monday in Stratford, Ontario, after an extended battle with an unspecified sickness.. Selection first reported the information on Monday evening. A consultant for Greene didn’t instantly reply to an Related Press’ request for remark.
Born in June 1952 in Ohsweken, Ontario, on Canada’s Six Nations Reserve, Greene labored as a draftsman, excessive steelworker, welder and carpenter earlier than changing into an actor within the Seventies, starting with the 1979 Canadian drama collection “The Great Detective” and 1983 movie “Running Brave.”
He’s finest recognized for his landmark position as Kicking Hen within the 1990 movie “Dances with Wolves.” Greene’s 1991 Oscar nomination was one of 12 the movie earned. It won seven, including the top prize of best picture and best director for Kevin Costner. Greene also starred as Arlen Bitterbuck in the 1999 Tom Hanks project, “The Green Mile.”
Greene had a storied profession, additionally showing in 1994’s “Maverick,” 1995’s “Die Hard with a Vengeance,” 2012’s “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” and 2017’s “Wind River.” He additionally acted in lots of critically acclaimed tv packages, together with “Reservation Dogs,”“1883,”“The Last of Us” and “Tulsa King.”
In 2000, Greene’s “Listen to the Storyteller” won a Grammy for best spoken word album for children. He also starred as elder Chief Rains Fall in the massively popular 2018 video game “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
He was additionally nominated for an Impartial Spirit award for the 2002 movie “Skins,” which documented life on the Lakota Sioux reservation.
Greene broke limitations for Native actors, demonstrating via his singular expertise that Indigenous tales ought to and should be informed by them.
Tributes poured in Monday evening. “Graham Greene was one of the best to ever do it. He lived on the screen in an absolutely unparalleled way. He made everything he was in better. Funnier. Deeper. Memorable,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” star Lily Gladstone wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to find any suitable words to express what his work meant, but his impact is unparalleled and expansive. I wish I could have met him. I probably would have thanked him.”
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who performed Indigenous teenager Bear Smallhill on “Reservation Dogs,” additionally expressed his appreciation. The the FX comedy-drama smashed caricatures and stereotypes of Native Individuals, who for the reason that earliest days of movie and TV have typically performed supporting roles or been portrayed as bloodthirsty killers standing in the best way of white, westward growth.
“You showed us it can be done and how to leave your mark. Trail blazing for every young native actor just dreaming,” Woon-A-Tai posted on Instagram. “Thank you for seeing something in me and sharing your knowledge throughout our friendship. Teaching me everything I know about this industry and more. I could never repay you. I’m grateful to have worked with you, gotten to know you, and call you Uncle.”
Greene is survived by his spouse, Hilary Blackmore, and his daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene.
