Thirty-five years after Dances with Wolves made cinematic history, the friendship between Kevin Costner and Graham Greene remains a powerful reminder of bonds that transcend the screen. When news broke that Graham Greene – the Canadian First Nations actor who moved audiences with his role as Kicking Bird – had passed away, Costner’s tribute was brief but deeply moving.
“He wasn’t just a great artist, but a wonderful human being,” Costner wrote in remembrance. Those few words carried the weight of decades of friendship and immediately brought fans back to the unforgettable connection their characters shared in the 1990 classic.
A friendship born from film
Dances with Wolves (1990) not only won 7 Academy Awards but also earned Greene an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In the film, his character became the bridge that helped Lt. John Dunbar (Costner) rediscover trust, humanity, and belonging. Off-screen, their bond developed into a genuine friendship that lasted for decades.
Graham Greene – the quiet artist
Known for his calm and unassuming presence, Greene appeared in over 100 films and television projects, including The Green Mile and Wind River. Yet to his friends, he was remembered not for the fame, but for his humility, warmth, and kindness.
Costner’s private grief
Costner spoke little, but his silence spoke volumes. For him, Greene was more than a co-star. He was a reminder of a golden era in cinema and a cherished friend whose loss cannot be easily put into words.
A lesson for us all
Greene’s passing reminds us that behind every legendary film are friendships and respect that endure long after the cameras stop rolling. Costner’s tribute may have been simple, but it immortalized Greene as both an actor and a man of integrity.