Graham Greene (actor)
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Graham Greene Template:Post-nominals (born June 22, 1952) is a First Nations (Oneida) actor and recording artist, active in film, television, and theatre. He achieved international fame for his role as Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka) in Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves (1990), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other notable films include Thunderheart (1992), Maverick (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), The Green Mile (1999), Skins (2002), Transamerica (2005), Casino Jack (2010), Winter's Tale (2014), The Shack (2017), and Wind River (2017).
In addition to his Oscar nomination, Greene is a Grammy Award, Gemini Award, and a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner. In 2025, he received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
Early life and career
[edit]Greene is an Oneida born in Ohsweken, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, the son of John, a paramedic and maintenance man, and Lillian Greene.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> He lived in Hamilton, Ontario, as a young man.<ref name=GGREENE>Template:Cite web</ref> Before moving into acting, he worked as a draftsman, steelworker and welder.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
He worked as an audio technician for rock bands based in Newfoundland and Labrador,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and later related that musician Kelly Jay repeatedly encouraged him to try out for a play.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>
A common misconception is that he graduated from the Toronto-based Centre for Indigenous Theatre's Native Theatre School program. As he noted in a 2012 interview, he "helped run it, as executive director of a school-supporting local arts organization".<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> By the 1970s he began performing in professional theatre in Toronto and England and in 1976 he participated in the University of Western Ontario's touring workshop performance of James Reaney's Wacousta.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
His television debut was in an episode of The Great Detective in 1979,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> and his film debut was in 1983 in Running Brave.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> On viewing his first television role, Greene stated that it was "awful", and that it prompted him to start learning to act as a profession.<ref name=":3" />
Career
[edit]Theatre
[edit]Greene frequently worked at the Native Earth Performing Arts, and is well known for his performance in Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing as the affable drunk Pierre St. Pierre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2" /> He has also performed in The Crackwalker and History of the Village of the Small Huts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Citation</ref>
In 2007, he appeared as Shylock in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of The Merchant of Venice as well as Breakfast with Scot.<ref name=":0" />
Television
[edit]In 1984 and 1986, Greene appeared in the First Nations' CBC TV series Spirit Bay as Pete "Baba" Green. The show was one of the first to show aboriginal life and the interactions between the native and white cultures.<ref>"Native actors finally have dramatic vehicle" by Tony Atherton, The Montreal Gazette (26 Sept, 1993) [Final Edition] Retrieved from Template:ProQuest</ref>
In the early 1990s he found guest-star work in several television series. As Leonard Quinhagak on Northern Exposure he portrayed a shaman that helped care for the residents. As a practitioner of shamanism, his character came into direct conflict with the show's other doctor, a traditionally trained professional that (initially) had little use for unorthodox ways.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
He was cast as Edgar "K.B." Montrose, an explosives enthusiast, on The Red Green Show. His character was asked what he thought of the movie Dances with Wolves, replying "...the native guy (himself as 'Kicking Bird') was OK. Should have gotten the Oscar. But the rest of it was a yawn!" Greene would portray this character periodically throughout most of the series run, from 1994 through 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1992, Greene played the role of Ishi, the last Yahi, in the HBO drama The Last of His Tribe,<ref name="LAT">Template:Cite news</ref> and in 1994, he began appearing as Mr. Crabby Tree in the children's series The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon.<ref name=":2" />
Greene guested on the sketch comedy show Royal Canadian Air Farce in 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Between 1997 and 2001 he hosted the reality crime documentary show Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
He starred in the short-lived television series Wolf Lake in 2001 as Sherman Blackstone along with Lou Diamond Phillips. In 2002 and 2004, he co-starred in two made-for-TV films that were an attempt at launching a revival of the long-running Canadian series The Beachcombers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also guest starred in five episodes of Being Erica as Dr. Arthur in 2010-11.
He appeared as himself in a parody of the famous Lakota-brand pain reliever commercials, on CBC Television's Rick Mercer Report.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
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.
He was a guest star in an episode of the TV series Numb3rs as a First Nations chief.
At the urging of actor Lou Diamond Phillips, Greene was cast as a recurring guest star on Longmire, which ran for six seasons from 2012 to 2017 on A&E and Netflix. As Malachi Strand, Greene was able to enjoy playing a villain, with the actor stating "Playing villains is fun. Being nice all the time; it's boring.".<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2023, Greene guest-starred as "Maximus" in the Reservation Dogs episode of the same name, as well as episodes 8 and 10. He also guest-starred in episode 6 of The Last of Us.
In 2024, Mr. Greene guest starred in a series, "Tulsa King" S2Ep9,Triad where he appeared as a medicine man by the name, "Old Smoke".
Movies
[edit]Dances with Wolves
[edit]Greene's Academy Award–nominated role as Kicking Bird (Lakota: Ziŋtká Nagwáka) in the 1990 film Dances with Wolves showcased his talents to audiences beyond his native Canada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview with CineMovie, Greene recounts a story of being tossed from a horse during production. When director Costner asked if he wanted a break, the actor retorted that he was more interested in finding the horse for payback.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> He stated that it was difficult for him to learn how to speak the Lakota language properly. Having not grown up speaking a native language, he said "...I couldn't figure out how they ordered their language. Its structure is totally foreign to English or French."<ref name=":3" />
He appeared in the contemporary action-mystery film, Thunderheart (1992), playing Walter Crow Horse, a gruff, savvy local cop living on an Indian reservation. He was quick to sign up for the movie, stating "I love the Badlands. My agent said, 'I got a film for you. It's in South Dakota. And you have to ride a motorcycle.' I said, 'I'm in.' 'Want to read it?' 'Don't have to.'"<ref name=":4" />
In 1994's Maverick, Greene elicited good reviews as the sidekick to Mel Gibson. At a screening of the movie the Los Angeles Times noted that Greene, "[as a] thoroughly modern Native American who exploits his position as a tourist attraction for Russian adventurers", got the most laughs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Greene also acted alongside Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson in the 1995 film Die Hard with a Vengeance, where he played Detective Joe Lambert.
The Green Mile
[edit]Greene was featured as Arlen Bitterbuck who was convicted of murder, awaiting execution on death row in the Oscar-nominated The Green Mile (1999). The character was an elder of the Washita Tribe and a member of a Cherokee Council,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> his nickname was "The Chief".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The character's execution is the first witnessed in the movie, and is depicted from start to finish. As it is the first depiction of an execution in the movie, Greene's death is noted as being a fairly accurate portrayal of the procedure.<ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref>
Greene co-starred as Slick Nakai with Adam Beach and Wes Studi in the film A Thief of Time (2004) and Coyote Waits, both adapted from Tony Hillerman novels of the same names and produced by Robert Redford.
Transamerica
[edit]
In 2005, he played the potential love interest of the female lead in Transamerica. A review of the movie praises Greene's performance as having "charming earthiness" but also notes that his character is allowed to find the transgender character attractive as "he's allowed to be open-minded because he's a Navajo -- in other words, a spiritually open-minded outsider, as opposed to your typical Middle American."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Greene worked with Aaron Sorkin on Molly's Game in 2017. In his role as a judge, the actor recalled "Aaron, the director, was looking at me sitting behind the bench. I had a puzzled look on my face. He said, 'Are you all right?' I said, 'Yeah. I've just never seen the bench from this side before.'"<ref name=":4" />
Greene was cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries Echo in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Other work
[edit]Greene provided the pre-recorded narration for Tecumseh!, the highly acclaimed outdoor show held in Ohio, based upon the life of the illustrious Shawnee chief of that name. He portrayed Sitting Bull in a short Historica vignette.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2018, Greene acted as the beleaguered Native-American elder Chief Rains Fall in the western-themed video game Red Dead Redemption 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
[edit]Greene and his wife Hilary Blackmore live outside of Toronto with a "small army of cats".<ref name=":6" /> They were married in 1990, and have four children together.Template:Citation needed He enjoys writing, building boats and playing golf, noting "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."<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6" /> He has stated that he has no interest in migrating south to California for roles. "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."<ref name=":2" /> Regarding his time playing Mr. Crabby Tree (and the follow-up role in the pre-teen show Eric's World) he noted "I spent a year paying penance doing kids' shows."
When discussing roles of native people, Greene noted that he would like to see depictions of "his people" as more than stoic: "My people are very funny."<ref name=":5" />
In 1997, Greene suffered a major depressive episode, and had to be hospitalized after a police encounter.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref> He recovered after help from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson.Template:Citation needed
In June 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctor of law degree from the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (CM) in the 2015 Canadian honours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Running Brave | Eddie | |
| 1985 | Revolution | Ongwata | |
| 1989 | Powwow Highway | Vietnam Veteran | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves | Kicking Bird | |
| 1991 | Clearcut | Arthur | |
| 1992 | Thunderheart | Walter Crow Horse | |
| Rain Without Thunder | Author on History | ||
| 1993 | Benefit of the Doubt | Calhoun | |
| 1994 | Camilla | Hunt Weller | |
| Savage Land | Skyano | ||
| Maverick | Joseph | ||
| North | Alaskan Dad | ||
| Rugged Gold | Samuel Smith | ||
| 1995 | Die Hard with a Vengeance | Detective Joe Lambert | |
| 1996 | Sabotage | Nicholas Tollander | |
| 1997 | The Education of Little Tree | Willow John | |
| 1998 | Shattered Image | Detective | |
| 1999 | Grey Owl | Jim Bernard | |
| The Green Mile | Arlen Bitterbuck | ||
| Misery Harbour | Burly | ||
| 2000 | Desire | Connor | |
| 2001 | Lost and Delirious | Joe Menzies | |
| Christmas in the Clouds | Earl | ||
| 2002 | Duct Tape Forever | Edgar K.B. Montrose | |
| Snow Dogs | Peter Yellowbear | ||
| Skins | Mogie Yellow Lodge | ||
| 2004 | Phil the Alien | Wolf | |
| 2005 | Transamerica | Calvin Many Goats | |
| 2007 | All Hat | Jim Burns | |
| Just Buried | Henry Sanipass | ||
| Breakfast with Scot | Bud Wilson | ||
| 2008 | Turok: Son of Stone | Lost Land Shaman / Elder #1 | Voice role |
| 2009 | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Harry Clearwater | |
| 2010 | Casino Jack | Bernie Sprague | |
| Gunless | Two Dogs | ||
| 2013 | Chasing Shakespeare | Mr. Mountain | |
| Atlantic Rim | Admiral Hadley | Direct to video | |
| Maïna | Mishte-Napeu | ||
| 2014 | Winter's Tale | Humpstone John | |
| Corner Gas: The Movie | Fisherman | ||
| 2017 | Wind River | Tribal Police Chief Ben Shoyo | |
| The Shack | Male Papa | ||
| Molly's Game | Judge Dustin Foxman | ||
| 2018 | Through Black Spruce | Leo | |
| 2019 | Astronaut | Len | |
| 2020 | A Dark Foe | The Cradle | |
| 2021 | Antlers | Warren Stokes | |
| Defining Moments | Dr. Kelly | ||
| The Wolf and the Lion | Joe | ||
| 2023 | Squealer | ||
| 2024 | Seeds | ||
| The Birds Who Fear Death | Chief Ed | ||
| The Great Salish Heist | Chief Roy | ||
| 2025 | Sweet Summer Pow Wow | M.C. | |
| TBA | Ice Fall | Post-production |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Read All About It! | John Norton | 1 episode |
| 1986 | Spirit Bay | Pete "Baba" Green | |
| 1986-1988 | The Campbells | Iroquois Chief | 3 episodes |
| 1987 | Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future | Cherokee | 1 episode |
| Street Legal | Paulo | ||
| 1988 | 9B | Dan Jackson | Miniseries, 5 episodes |
| 1989 | Where the Spirit Lives | Komi's Father | Television film |
| 1990 | Lost in the Barrens | Mewasin | |
| 1991 | L.A. Law | Dan Wauneka | 1 episode |
| 1992; 1994 | Murder, She Wrote | Sheriff Sam Keeyani / Peter Henderson | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | The Last of His Tribe | Ishi | Television film |
| 1992-1993 | Northern Exposure | Leonard | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 1993 | Cooperstown | Raymond Maracle | Television film |
| North of 60 | Rico Nez | 1 episode | |
| The Broken Chain | Peace Maker (Spirit) | Television film | |
| 1994-1997 | The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon | Mr. Crabby Tree | Recurring role, 17 episodes |
| 1994-2006 | The Red Green Show | Edgar K.B. Montrose | Recurring role, 19 episodes |
| 1994 | Lonesome Dove: The Series | Red Hawk | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Chief Brown Bear | Voice role, 1 episode |
| Liberty Street | Mr. Jones | 1 episode | |
| 1996 | The Outer Limits | Chief Weapons Officer | |
| The Pathfinder | Chingachgook | Television film | |
| 1997-2001 | Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science | Himself - Host | Main role, 65 episodes |
| 2000 | Big Wolf on Campus | Ferryman | 1 episode |
| 2000-2001 | Cover Me | Michael Nighthorse | 4 episodes |
| 2001-2002 | Wolf Lake | Mr. Sherman Blackstone | Main role, 9 episodes |
| 2002 | The New Beachcombers | Colin Reid | Television film |
| 2003 | Mister Sterling | Senior Senator Jackson | 1 episode |
| Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion | Elijah Cobb | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| 2005 | The Collector | George | 1 episode |
| Spirit Bear: The Simon Jackson Story | Lloyd Blackburn | Television film | |
| Into the West | Conquering Bear | Miniseries, 1 episode | |
| Numb3rs | Chief James Clearwater | 1 episode | |
| Buffalo Dreams | John Blackhorse | Television film | |
| 2006 | This is Wonderland | Paul Hilliard | 1 episode |
| 2010-2011 | Being Erica | Dr. Arthur | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2013 | Family Tree | Chief Running Bull | 1 episode |
| 2013-2015 | Defiance | Rafe McCawley | Main role, 28 episodes |
| 2014-2017 | Longmire | Malachi Strand | Recurring role, 12 episodes |
| 2018 | Riverdale | Thomas Topaz | 1 episode |
| The Detour | Narvin | 3 episodes | |
| 2019 | Project Blue Book | David | 1 episode |
| Goliath | Littlecrow | Recurring role, 7 episodes | |
| 2020 | Blue Ridge | Cliff McGrath | Television film |
| 2021 | American Gods | Whiskey Jack | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | 1883 | Spotted Eagle | Miniseries, 1 episode |
| 2023 | The Last of Us | Marlon | Episode: "Kin" |
| Reservation Dogs | Maximus | Episode: "Maximus" | |
| 2024 | Echo | Skully | Main role, miniseries |
| Tulsa King | Old Smoke | Episode: "Triad" S2E9 |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Rains Fall | Voice and motion capture |
Awards and nominations
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Pages with broken file links
- 1952 births
- Canadian male film actors
- Canadian male voice actors
- Canadian male television actors
- Dora Mavor Moore Award winners
- First Nations male actors
- Canadian Screen Award winning actors
- Grammy Award winners
- Living people
- Oneida First Nation people
- Male actors from Hamilton, Ontario
- Male Western (genre) film actors
- People from the County of Brant
- Members of the Order of Canada
- Indspire Awards
- Audiobook narrators
- Wilfrid Laurier University people
- Governor General's Award winners