Kevin Costner paid tribute to his Dances With Wolves co-star Graham Greene after Greene‘s passing on September 1, 2025. In an Instagram message framed as a Kevin Costner Dances With Wolves Tribute, the actor reflects on their time making the western and on Greene‘s lasting impact.
Why Costner’s Message About Graham Greene Matters
Dances With Wolves, released in 1990, is a western epic directed by Kevin Costner and adapted from Michael Blake‘s novel. The narrative follows Union Army Lieutenant John Dunbar, who befriends a Lakota Sioux community during the Civil War and embraces their language and way of life.
Greene‘s portrayal of Kicking Bird, a Lakota medicine man, gave the film its emotional heartbeat and earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. His commitment to learning the Lakota language and inhabiting the role authentically helped elevate Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
After Greene‘s passing on September 1, 2025, Costner highlighted his late co-star’s dedication and talent in his tribute. Greene‘s career extended beyond Dances With Wolves, as he pursued diverse roles across genres rather than accepting typecast parts, illustrating a deliberate search for growth and authenticity.
In addition to Dances With Wolves, Greene appeared in The Green Mile, Twilight Saga: New Moon, Reservation Dogs, and Marvel‘s Echo, demonstrating a broader, boundary-breaking approach to Indigenous actors in mainstream media.
Our Perspective on Costner’s Tribute
The message from Costner underscores the film‘s significance as a milestone in bringing Indigenous stories to broad audiences and in highlighting the craft of Indigenous actors on the big screen. The tribute serves as a reminder of how a single performance can anchor a film‘s emotional resonance for generations of viewers.
Costner’s reflection also frames Greene as a collaborative partner whose dedication shaped the project, reinforcing Dances With Wolves as a landmark in Hollywood history. Greene‘s career choices—seeking varied roles—show a commitment to authenticity that continues to resonate with today’s audiences, offering a model for actors pursuing depth beyond stereotypes.
Greene‘s work across The Green Mile, Twilight Saga: New Moon, Reservation Dogs, and Marvel‘s Echo demonstrates a range that challenges narrow expectations for Indigenous performers. His legacy invites ongoing conversations about inclusive casting and the continued evolution of representation in mainstream cinema.
Cast Highlights
The cast listing in the source highlights Kevin Costner, who directed and starred in the film, alongside Mary McDonnell in a key role. Their collaboration helped bring the story of Dunbar and his Lakota allies to life and anchored the film‘s emotional and thematic core.
Significance and What Comes Next
Graham Greene‘s place in film history as a pioneering Indigenous lead remains a touchstone for representation in Hollywood, and Costner’s tribute reinforces that legacy. The moment invites renewed attention to Indigenous storytelling in classic cinema and may influence ongoing discussions about authentic portrayal and inclusive casting in future projects.
