In the iconic western Dances With Wolves, Kevin Costner played Lt. John Dunbar, a soldier who ends up living with a Sioux tribe, where he befriends the tribal leader, Kicking Bird.
The actor who played Kicking Bird, Graham Greene, had a lengthy career in movies and on television, but many people remember him best for the 1990 Dances With Wolves role, and the bond forged on screen between Costner’s character and Greene’s.
Now, Costner is remembering Greene in the wake of the actor’s death at age 73 on Sept. 1.
Kevin Costner Called Graham Greene a ‘Master at Work’ & ‘Wonderful Human Being’
Costner shared a video to his Instagram page that contained a scene from the movie.
“A few things come to mind when I think of Graham Greene and our time together on Dances With Wolves,” he wrote.
“I think of how willing he was to learn the Lakota language. I think of my joy when I heard that his work on the film was recognized with an @theacademy Awards nomination,” wrote Costner. Greene was Canadian and Oneida.
“And I think of this scene in particular, when he was able to establish so much about the relationship between Dunbar and the natives with so few words. He was a master at work and a wonderful human being,” Costner added. “I’m grateful to have been witness to this part of his lasting legacy. Rest in peace, Graham.”
The scene Costner shared shows Greene and Costner communicating with each other as Costner acts like a buffalo.
Graham Greene’s Dying Wish Was to Thank Kevin Costner, a Report Says
The admiration was returned, according to TMZ, which reported that Greene’s dying wish was to thank Costner.
Greene’s representative, Michael Greene, told TMZ that Graham Greene appreciated Costner giving indigenous people a chance to be represented on screen. Greene was never able to get into contact with Costner though, TMZ reported.
Greene’s cause of death was given only as a “lengthy illness,” according to TMZ.
