Graham Greene
Oneida actor adored by millions
Fate takes funny
turns now and then and Graham Greene, an achievement award winner
for arts and culture, should know. He was originally scheduled
to host the 1997 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, but
a viral infection prevented him from doing it. On the other hand,
he won a movie role that thrust him into the international spotlight
while selling T-shirts. Even then, to get the role of Kicking
Bird in Dances With Wolves, Greene had to overcome director and
star Kevin Costner's immediate reaction that "he didn't
look Native enough."
The rest, however, is history. Greene earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Kicking Bird, and has since starred in such movie hits as Thuderheart, Maverick, and Die Hard 3. On top of that, he has had guest roles in North of 60, Murder She Wrote, and Northern Exposure. He has a recurring role as Mr. Crabby Tree on the children's television show, Dudley the Dragon, a role that earned him a Gemini Award, which is Canada's version of an Emmy or an Oscar.
Greene has also starred in movies made for television and cable such as Ishi: The Last of His Tribe, for HBO, Medicine River and Murder Sees the Light, both for the CBC, Unnatural Causes, for NBC, and Broken Chain and Cooperstown, both for TNT.
He also starred in the cult-hit movie, Powwow Highway.
But among all the awards that Greene has earned throughout his career, an Aboriginal achievement award is the one he considers the most illustrious.
"I consider it a great honor, because I never expected to receive one," he said. "I was a little overwhelmed. It's better than an Oscar."
John Kim Bell had asked Greene some time ago to host the awards, but didn't let on that he would also be receiving one as well. When he was told, it surprised him.
Even though he couldn't attend the award ceremony, he was aware of the other winners and their achievements because he had the script for the show.
Greene was among 44 nominees for the arts and culture award, only three of which were won. It's interesting to note that Greene could very well be the best known Aboriginal actor of his time but started his career just for the fun of it.
Acting "looked like fun and [it was] better than working from nine to five," he said.
The fun must have sustained itself, because he's been doing it for nearly 20 years. Even as his career was taking off in theatre, he still helped build sets for various productions and worked as a soundman, iron-worker and a welder. The critical acclaim for his work in theatre culminated when he won the Dora Mavor Moore Award in the late 80s for his portrayal as Pierre St. Pierre in Tomson Highway's award-winning play, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. Ironically, that was nearly the last time he worked in theatre.
Despite his successful career, he's never considered himself a role model to other up-and-coming actors, nor did he look up to other actors for inspiration.
"I never approached [my career] that way," he said. "Be your own role model. Inevitably, you only have to answer to yourself."
He's been asked to work as a director and producer, but hasn't yet because the right project hasn't come along.
Greene's example is an inspiration to others, in whatever field they endeavor to succeed in. He's enjoyed his career and just kept working at it. It won't be long before we see Greene on the big screen again.