Graham Greene, born on June 22, 1952, stands as a prominent figure in the performing arts, a Canadian actor celebrated for his extensive contributions to stage, film, and television productions across Canada, England, and the United States. His career, spanning several decades, showcases a remarkable versatility and a deep commitment to his craft, making him one of the most recognizable and respected Indigenous actors in the entertainment industry. Graham Greene‘s journey is a testament to talent, perseverance, and the power of representation.
Born in Ohsweken, a village nestled within the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, Greene’s heritage is rooted in the Oneida Nation. His parents, Lillian and John Greene, provided a foundation built on community and hard work. John Greene served as an ambulance driver and maintenance man, roles that instilled in young Graham Greene a sense of service and dedication. The Six Nations Reserve, a vibrant and culturally rich community, played a significant role in shaping his identity and artistic sensibilities. This background would later inform many of his performances, bringing authenticity and depth to the characters he portrayed.
While Greene honed his skills in various stage plays and television roles for many years, his breakthrough moment arrived with his portrayal of Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s epic 1990 film, Dances With Wolves. This role not only catapulted him to international fame but also earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film, a sweeping historical drama that explored the complex relationship between the U.S. Army and the Lakota Sioux during the American Civil War era, provided Greene with a platform to showcase his talent on a grand scale. His portrayal of Kicking Bird, a wise and compassionate Lakota medicine man, was widely praised for its authenticity and sensitivity. It was a performance that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, solidifying his place as a major talent in Hollywood.
Following the success of Dances With Wolves, Greene embarked on a prolific career, appearing in a diverse range of films and television series. He demonstrated his versatility by taking on roles in projects such as Thunderheart (1992), a crime thriller that delved into the mysteries of Native American reservations; Benefit of the Doubt (1993), a suspenseful drama; and Maverick (1994), a comedic Western alongside Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. He also made memorable appearances in television series like Northern Exposure, known for its quirky characters and offbeat humor, and The Red Green Show, a Canadian comedy staple that celebrated rural life and DIY ingenuity.
In 1995, Greene showcased his ability to hold his own alongside Hollywood heavyweights when he starred in Die Hard with a Vengeance, the third installment in the popular action franchise. He played Detective Joe-Rob Lambert, a New York City police officer who becomes entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Bruce Willis’s John McClane and Samuel L. Jackson’s Zeus Carver. His performance added depth and gravitas to the film, proving that he could excel in any genre. Beyond acting, Greene also ventured into hosting, lending his voice and presence to the reality crime documentary show Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science.
Graham Greene further expanded his repertoire by co-starring in A Thief of Time (2004) and Coyote Waits, both adaptations of Tony Hillerman’s popular mystery novels featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. In these films, produced by Robert Redford, Greene played "Slick Sam" Nakai alongside Adam Beach and Wes Studi, two other prominent Native American actors. These projects were significant not only for their compelling storylines but also for their authentic portrayal of Native American culture and characters.
Greene’s journey in the entertainment industry began in 1979 with a TV debut in an episode of The Great Detective. His screen debut followed in 1983 with Running Brave. He further honed his skills in films such as Revolution and Powwow Highway, a cult classic road movie that celebrated Native American identity and spirituality. He also gained valuable experience in the First Nations CBC TV series Spirit Bay, a groundbreaking show that explored the lives and challenges of Indigenous communities in Canada.
His talent extended beyond the screen, as demonstrated by his starring role in Tomson Highway’s acclaimed play, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. His portrayal of Pierre St. Pierre earned him the prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Award, a testament to his exceptional stage presence and acting ability. He further endeared himself to audiences with his portrayal of Mr. Crabby Tree in the beloved children’s television program The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon. He also appeared in TV programs Northern Exposure, Murder She Wrote and North of 60.
Throughout his career, Greene has garnered widespread critical acclaim for his performances. He received rave reviews for his work in films like Thunderheart, Die Hard 3, and Maverick, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and compelling actor.
In 1997, Greene received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now known as the Indspire Awards) for his outstanding contributions to the film and television industry. This prestigious award recognized his talent, dedication, and his role as a positive role model for Indigenous youth.
In 1992, Greene took on the challenging role of Ishi, the last Yahi, in the HBO drama The Last of His Tribe. This poignant film told the true story of Ishi, the last member of the Yahi tribe who emerged from the California wilderness in 1911 after his people were decimated by violence and disease. Greene’s sensitive and nuanced portrayal of Ishi captured the character’s resilience, dignity, and profound sense of loss. He also appeared that year in the contemporary action-mystery film, Thunderheart (1992) playing Walter Crow Horse, a gruff, savvy local cop living on an Indian reservation.
In 1994, he began appearing as Mr. Crabby Tree in the children’s series The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon, for which he received the Gemini Award.
In 1997, Greene faced a personal challenge when he experienced a major depressive episode and was hospitalized after a police encounter. He found support and assistance from his colleagues, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, who helped him navigate his recovery.
Greene continued to take on diverse and challenging roles, including his portrayal of Arlen Bitterbuck, a Native American on death row, in the critically acclaimed film The Green Mile (1999), which was nominated for an Academy Award. He also starred in the short-lived television series Wolf Lake in 2001.
In 2005, he acted as the potential love interest of a pre-operative transsexual woman in Transamerica. He appeared as himself in a parody of the famous Lakota-brand pain reliever commercials, on CBC Television’s Rick Mercer Report.
In 2006, Greene presented the documentary series The War that Made America, about the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) of the mid–18th century in North America. In 2007, he appeared as Shylock in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of The Merchant of Venice as well as “Breakfast with Scot”, the first gay-themed film ever to receive this type of approval from a professional sports league (NHL).
In June 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctor of law degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, near the Oneida reserve he is from.
Greene provides the pre-recorded narration for the highly acclaimed outdoor drama, Tecumseh! in Chillicothe, Ohio, based upon the life of the Shawnee chief of that name. Greene also portrayed the Sioux leader Sitting Bull in a short Historica vignette.
He was a guest star in an episode of the TV series Numb3rs, as a First Nations chief. He also guest-starred on multiple occasions on The Red Green Show as Edgar “K.B.” Montrose, an explosives enthusiast. In one episode ‘Red Green’ asks him what he thought of the movie “Dances with Wolves”. Greene’s reply was that “…the native guy (himself as ‘Kicking Bird’) was OK. Should have gotten the Oscar. But the rest of it was a yawn!”
Greene also made a cameo in an episode of Royal Canadian Air Farce. In the sketch, Jacques Cartier (Don Ferguson) has to go through customs, whose officer is played by Greene. When Cartier asks Greene if he was in that movie Dances with Wolves, Greene replies “yes”. Cartier asks his name and Greene says “Kevin Costner”.
He appeared in The Twilight Saga: New Moon as Harry Clearwater, Charlie Swan’s old friend.
At the 2004 Gemini Awards, he was awarded the Earle Gray Lifetime Achievement Award. Graham Greene, with his impressive body of work and dedication to his craft, remains a significant and influential figure in the entertainment industry.