Tributes pour in for world-renowned Stratford resident Graham Greene

The late Graham Greene as Shylock in the Stratford Festival’s 2007 production of The Merchant of Venice. Since the announcement of Greene’s passing earlier this month, tributes have been pouring in for the legendary actor.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Stratford residents will have noticed the Canadian Flag at city hall flying half-mast this past week. As Mayor Martin Ritsma explained at the city council meeting on Sept. 8, it was in honour of resident Graham Greene.

“Before we hear the land acknowledgement,” Ritsma said. “I want to take a moment and share the passing of Graham Greene, a resident of Stratford and a globally renowned actor … We're proud to hang the flag at half-mast in memory of Graham.”

Greene was a legendary actor. Born at Six Nations Reserve, he was Oneida, the son of John and Lillian Greene, and grew up in southwestern Ontario. In recent years he was a Stratford resident, where he died on Sept. 1 at the age of 73.

Most notably, Greene was nominated for an Academy Award in 1991 for his role of Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves. His film credits include Thunderheart, Maverick and The Green Mile. He also appeared in a number of television series, including Lonesome Dove, Murder She Wrote, Northern Exposure, The Red Green Show, Being Erica, Defiance, Longmire, Riverdale, American Gods, Goliath, Reservation Dogs and The Last of Us.

Graham was a member of the Order of Canada and had numerous lifetime achievement awards under his belt.

Since the announcement of his passing, tributes from across the world have flooded social media recognizing his generational talent.

Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Greene in Dances with Wolves, said on Instagram that a few things came to mind when remembering his co-star.

“I think of how willing he was to learn the Lakota language,” Costner said. “I think of my joy when I heard that his work on the film was recognized with an Academy Awards nomination … He was a master at work and a wonderful human being.”

On actor Ethan Hawke’s Facebook page, he said that he had the pleasure of working with Greene earlier this year in the upcoming FX series The Lowdown, in which Greene will appear posthumously in when the series begins airing on Sept. 23.

“Dances with Wolves, Thunderheart, Reservation Dogs, to name a few,” the post reads. “He has always possessed extraordinary grace, wisdom, wit and depth. Working with him was shockingly fun. He improvised brilliantly and infused every moment with spontaneity and humour. I even got to break bread with him – and share some fries. I am shocked to hear of his passing. Blessed travels, friend.”

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who presented the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement to Greene just a few months ago, called him a legendary actor.

“He brought depth, dignity and authenticity to every character he portrayed, delivering countless unforgettable performances,” Simon stated.

Some of those unforgettable performances were right here in the city he would call home. In 2007 he played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice and Lennie in Of Mice and Men.

“As Shylock he brought a painful dignity and sharp intellect to the part,” artistic director Antoni Cimolino recalled in a social media post. “From the moment he entered, we knew we were in the presence of a star. His Lennie was heartbreaking in his childlike innocence. We were completely won over by his simple warmth and consequently devastated as the play progressed.

“Despite his fame and many accomplishments Graham as a colleague was genuinely humble and friendly – and he loved to share a laugh with his fellow players,” Cimolino stated. “He was generous in sharing his experience and knowledge of the skills of our craft with young actors. He brought with him a bigger artistic world but also a recognition that staying true to oneself is essential to a performer.

“We have lost a brilliant actor, a wonderful neighbour and a good friend.”