"Die Hard" Star Graham Greene Dies: He Appeared in "Twilight" and "The Green Mile"

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Today news broke of the death of Canadian actor Graham Greene — Oscar nominee and one of the first Indigenous North Americans to break through in Hollywood. He was 73 years old.

He spent his final days in a Toronto hospital, though the cause of death hasn't been disclosed.

About His Death

"Graham Greene died at age 73 in a Toronto hospital after a prolonged illness," The Guardian reported.

The actor's agent Michael Green (no relation) added: "He was a great man with high moral principles, ethics and character. You are finally free."

Career

Greene was born in 1952 in Ohsweken on the Six Nations Reserve in Canada. He didn't jump straight into acting — he first worked as a sound engineer before a friend convinced him to try the stage.

In the 1970s he performed in theatrical productions, making his TV debut in 1979 on "The Great Detective." His first film role came in 1983's biographical drama "Running Brave."
Actor Graham Greene in a black jacket and black blazer looks at the camera
Graham Greene in life and in Die Hard with a Vengeance
Source: Film screenshot
His real breakthrough came in 1990 when Kevin Costner cast Greene as shaman Kicking Bird in "Dances with Wolves." The film won an Oscar, and the actor earned an Academy Award nomination. This success opened Hollywood's doors wide.

Dozens of memorable roles followed: Joe Lambert in "Die Hard with a Vengeance," Arlen Bitterbuck in "The Green Mile," the chief in "Rhymes for Young Ghouls," and of course Harry Clearwater in "Twilight." Audiences loved his unique charisma — he could be frightening, touching, and ironic all at once.
Dances with Wolves trailer
Graham Greene racked up over 60 credits, plus Gemini and Grammy awards and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. In 2016, he became a Member of the Order of Canada.

The Actor's 5 Best Films

  • "Dances with Wolves" (1990) — his role as shaman Kicking Bird brought worldwide fame and an Oscar nomination
  • "The Green Mile" (1999) — he played Arlen Bitterbuck, an inmate with a tragic story
  • "Rhymes for Young Ghouls" (2013) — Chief Mishtanapeu, one of his later and deeply dramatic performances
  • "The Last of His Tribe" (1992) — a touching portrayal of Ishi in the film about the final days of the Yahi tribe
  • "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995) — charismatic Joe Lambert in the action hit with Bruce Willis
Graham Greene was "the voice and face of an entire generation," bringing the strength and dignity of Indigenous peoples to mainstream culture. For some, he'll forever be the shaman from "Dances with Wolves." For others, the kind elder from "Twilight." But for everyone — an actor whose name is already written in cinema history. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com reported on the death of "Batman Forever" star Val Kilmer, who passed away at age 65.