Kevin Costner’s final tribute to Graham Greene will leave you in tears…. A beautiful friendship.

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Costner has always been known for his commanding presence on screen, but in recent days it was not a role or a performance that drew attention—it was his heartfelt tribute to a man he once called not just a colleague but a true friend.

When news broke of the passing of Graham Greene, the acclaimed Canadian actor whose powerful performances left an indelible mark on cinema, Costner stepped forward with words that were raw, tender, and deeply human.

“Graham was very special,” Costner said softly, his voice tinged with grief.

“I miss you, friend.”

Those simple words carried the weight of decades of shared history, of memories forged on set and beyond, and of a respect that went far deeper than professional admiration.

The bond between Kevin Costner and Graham Greene was born in the early 1990s during the making of *Dances with Wolves*, the landmark film that redefined how Native stories were told in Hollywood.

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone's Kevin Costner shares touching tribute to co-star Graham Greene  - Manchester Evening News

 

 

 

Costner, who not only starred in but also directed the film, cast Greene in the role of Kicking Bird, the wise and compassionate medicine man of the Lakota Sioux.

It was a role that showcased Greene’s remarkable ability to convey dignity, wisdom, and depth without ever resorting to stereotype.

His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and cemented his place in cinema history.

For Costner, working alongside Greene was more than just an artistic collaboration—it was the beginning of a friendship built on mutual respect.

He often spoke of how Greene brought truth and humanity to every scene, how his quiet strength elevated not only the film but everyone around him.

Even after the cameras stopped rolling, the bond endured.

In interviews over the years, Costner would recall their time together with warmth, emphasizing that Greene was more than an actor—he was a man of integrity who carried his heritage and his art with equal pride.

That respect shone brightly in Costner’s final tribute.

 

 

Kevin Costner Remembers Late "Dances With Wolves" Actor, Graham Greene -  "He Was A Master"

 

 

 

He did not speak of Hollywood glamour or the accolades Greene achieved, though they were many.

Instead, he spoke of the man he knew personally, the friend who could make him laugh during long days on set, the confidant who shared stories late into the night, the presence that made even the hardest moments feel lighter.

“Graham had a spirit you don’t forget,” Costner said.

“There was a kindness in him, a calm that made you feel grounded just being near him.”

Those who knew Greene echoed the same sentiment—he had a gift for making people feel seen, respected, and valued.

Costner’s words captured that essence, reminding the world that while Greene may have been a brilliant actor, his true legacy lay in the lives he touched with his generosity and authenticity.

The grief Costner expressed is not only for the loss of a friend but also for the absence of a presence that once made the world seem steadier.

 

Dances with Wolves ***** (1990, Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene)  – Classic Movie Review 2,056 | Derek Winnert

 

 

 

He admitted that he will miss not just the conversations and the camaraderie but the quiet reassurance of knowing that Greene was out there in the world, continuing to inspire with his performances and his character.

In mourning Greene, Costner also reflected on the importance of their shared work in *Dances with Wolves*.

The film was groundbreaking in its depiction of Native peoples, offering roles of depth and respect at a time when Hollywood often reduced them to caricatures.

Greene’s portrayal of Kicking Bird was central to that achievement, and Costner never forgot the courage and grace with which his friend carried that responsibility.

In his tribute, Costner suggested that Greene’s legacy is not confined to the screen.

It lives on in the path he cleared for future generations of Indigenous actors and storytellers, in the pride he instilled in his community, and in the friendships he nurtured along the way.

For Costner, the loss is deeply personal, but it is also part of a larger truth—that Graham Greene’s absence leaves a hole not only in his life but in the cultural landscape as a whole.

Fans who heard Costner’s farewell were struck by its simplicity.

 

 

 

Kevin Costner Honors Dances With Wolves Star Graham Greene | Us Weekly

 

 

 

 

There was no grand speech, no attempt to summarize a life in lofty terms.

There was only honesty, grief, and love.

“Graham was very special, I miss you, friend,” he said, and in those words lay the entirety of what mattered most.

The world will remember Graham Greene for his artistry, for the roles that left audiences moved and forever changed.

Kevin Costner will remember him for the man he was: a friend who gave more than he took, who lived with dignity, and who left behind not just a body of work but a legacy of kindness.

And perhaps that is the greatest tribute of all.

 

 

 

 

 

In losing Graham Greene, Hollywood has lost one of its quiet giants.

Kevin Costner’s farewell reminds us that behind the applause and the awards, the truest measure of a man lies in how deeply he is missed by those who knew him best.

For Costner, the answer is clear—Graham Greene was unforgettable.