Kevin Costner Honors Graham Greene's Legacy with Heartfelt Tribute
Kevin Costner has shared a heartfelt homage to his fellow Dances With Wolves actor, Graham Greene, who recently passed away at 73.
“Certain memories surface when I recall Graham Greene and our shared experience working on Dances With Wolves,” remarked Costner, 70, in a Tuesday, September 2, Instagram update. He accompanied his message with a scene featuring himself and Greene from the 1990 motion picture.
“I remember his dedication to mastering the Lakota language. I also recall the immense pride I felt upon learning his performance in the film earned him an @theacademy Awards nod,” he continued, referring to his role as Lt. John J. Dunbar. “And this specific moment in the movie stands out, where he conveyed so much about the bond between Dunbar and the indigenous people using minimal dialogue. He was an exceptional talent and a genuinely kind individual.”
Costner concluded his tribute by stating: “I feel privileged to have observed this aspect of his enduring impact. May you rest in peace, Graham.”
According to a Monday, September 1 report from Deadline, Greene passed away in a Toronto medical facility after a prolonged illness.
“He was a man of profound integrity, strong principles, and remarkable character, and his absence will be felt forever. You have found your peace,” shared Michael Greene, the actor's agent, in a Monday statement.
The esteemed performer was most recognized for his portrayal of Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka) opposite Costner in Dances With Wolves. For this performance, Greene earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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“We had an immediate connection,” Graham recounted in a 2017 interview, speaking of the horse he rode while filming. “On my final day of shooting, a young boy approached me, revealing the horse was originally his, but he’d been forced to sell it. Following production, I approached the producers and insisted, ‘Ensure this child gets his horse back. Deduct the cost from my earnings if necessary.’”
Greene's filmography also includes Thunderheart, the 1992 feature which also featured the late Val Kilmer, and a role opposite Bruce Willis in 1995’s Die Hard With a Vengeance. He was additionally recognized for portraying Harry Clearwater in the Twilight saga. His more recent work included Marvel Studios’ Echo, which debuted on Disney+ in January 2024.
He is survived by his spouse, Hilary Blackmore, his daughter, Lilly Lazare-Greene, and his grandson, Tarlo.
