Graham Greene, the Canadian First Nations actor known for his role in Dances With Wolves, has died at the age of 73. His manager, Gerry Jordan, confirmed the news in a statement to CBC News, saying the Oscar-nominated star passed away peacefully of natural causes. Greene’s agent also told ABC News that the legendary actor had been battling a lengthy illness.
Born on June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Greene was Oneida and grew up the son of John, a paramedic and maintenance worker, and Lillian Greene. He later lived in Hamilton, Ontario, and before finding success in acting, worked as a draftsman, steelworker, and welder.
Greene’s breakthrough came in 1990, following his role as Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and brought him international recognition. The film went on to win seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
Following that breakthrough, the actor continued to appear in other prominent projects like Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), and Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995). His other on-screen credits include The Green Mile (1999), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), Molly’s Game (2017), and Wind River (2017).
In addition to his Oscar nomination, Greene earned numerous honors throughout his career, including a Grammy Award, Gemini Award, Canadian Screen Award, and a Dora Mavor Moore Award. He received the Earle Grey Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004 and was also inducted into the Order of Canada in 2016. In 2025, the late star was honored with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson, Talo.
Who Is Graham Greene’s Wife, Hilary Blackmore?
Some reports have mentioned Hilary Blackmore as a stage manager and actress in Canadian theatre, though those details have never been officially confirmed.
She was reportedly part of the production team on Dances With Wolves in 1990, the film that brought Graham Greene international recognition. Working on the project put her in contact with him, and the connection soon grew into a relationship. By December that same year, they were married.
Source: FacebookIn a 2012 interview with Playback, Greene spoke about the value of theatre, saying it gave him the discipline to shape characters in ways film could not. He also called his marriage to Hilary one of the most important moments in his life, describing it as “the best time of my life.”
The couple chose to live outside Toronto, where Greene often joked about having a “small army of cats” around the house. He liked to spend his free time writing and building boats. He was also an avid golfer. “I just want to go and play, I don’t care who’s looking. It’s a game where you get to play against yourself,” the late actor said.
He also made it clear that Hollywood never appealed to him. “There’s no reason to live there. A working actor can live anywhere as long as you have a phone, a fax, and know where the airport is,” Greene explained.
His Daughter Lilly Lazare-Greene
Greene was also a father to a daughter named Lilly Lazare-Greene. Beyond her name, very little has been shared publicly. Details about her personal background, career, or even information about her mother have not been disclosed.
