Graham Greene’s Last Wish: Thank You, Kevin Costner
September 5, 2025
Source: Do You Remember?
Has there ever been a calm farewell moment between two artists who collaborated years ago? That’s really what happened. First Nations actor Graham Greene, a long-time favorite of mine from his role in Dances with Wolves, pronounced wishes of gratitude from a place of reflection.
At a moment of calm unassumingness before he passed away at 73 years of age, on September 1, 2025 Graham Greene pronounced a final wish to “thank Kevin Costner.” This was not because of awards and recognition. Rather, it was because of Opportunity.
A Full Circle Moment
Greene’s, Oscar-nominated role in Dances with Wolves (1990) represented not simply a milestone. It was a preparation of opportunity: to be seen. Not only did mainstream Hollywood serialize Greene’s role as an exceedingly rare occasion. The producers cast, scripted, and embodied the Indigenous role with depth, dignity and respect. Greene’s off-screen friendship with Costner’s role, Lieutenant J.D. Dunbar, was equally defined by those same qualities. Greene’s life had always had; soulfulness.
What That Thank-You Meant to Greene
Greene embraced that role not as another part, but as a very rare opportunity to be seen and heard. It allowed him to align integrity with honor. In a moment or two at the end of his life, he wanted something simple. To let Costner know he appreciated his acting, his kindness, and the opportunities Costner had provided him.
That can take true connection to engender long after the lights turned off and the cameras stopped rolling.
Greene’s death not only was the end of a beautiful career. It was famous for over 50 years, and all of the represents of roles which displayed the resilience and humanity of Indigenous peoples. Symbolically, even in that moment, he returned to thank the man who gave him the opportunity. Costner opened the door, and at the time of that thank-you held a lifetime. It could recall courage, punctuate mutual respect, and finish with grace.
Why It Resonates with Us
- The Humanity of Hollywood: It was not a full-throated reaction to a film, or a scene – it was an authentic and personal act of intention.
- A Legacy of Opportunity: It is not unimaginable to think that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are opportunities we take – or give – before we even realize the effectiveness of the role.
- Quiet, Eternal Kindness: In his closing wish, Graham Greene reminded us that gratitude can be the quietest; and potentially the most eternal legacies of all.
Let us take that message with us. When the doors open – or if someone remembers to say “thank you” – it will echo, and persist long after.
