Iron Eyes Cody facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iron Eyes Cody
Cody (left), Glendale, California at Charles Wakefield Cadman's funeral, 1947
Born	Espera Oscar de Corti (1904-04-03)April 3, 1904 Kaplan, Louisiana, U.S
Died	January 4, 1999(1999-01-04) (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, U.S
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Other names	The Crying Indian
Years active	1927–1987
Spouse(s)	Bertha Parker ​ ​ (m. 1936; died 1978)​ Wendy Foote ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 1993)​
Children	2, including Robert Tree Cody

Iron Eyes Cody (born Espera Oscar de Corti, April 3, 1904 – January 4, 1999) was an American actor. He was famous for playing Native Americans in Hollywood movies. He was also known for a TV commercial where he shed a tear about litter.

For many years, Cody said he was Native American. He even claimed to be from different tribes. But in 1996, his half-sister said he was actually of Italian background. After he passed away, it was confirmed that his family was from Sicily, Italy. He was not Native American at all.

Early Life and Family

Cody was born Espera Oscar de Corti on April 3, 1904. This was in Kaplan, Louisiana, a small town in southwestern Louisiana. His parents, Francesca Salpietra and Antonio de Corti, were both from Italy.

He had two brothers, Joseph and Frank, and a sister, Victoria. His family owned a grocery store in Gueydan, Louisiana. When he was young, his father left the family. His father moved to Texas and changed his name to Tony Corti.

Later, Cody and his brothers joined their father in Texas. They shortened their last name to Corti. After their father died in 1924, the brothers moved to California. They started acting in movies and changed their last name again, this time to Cody.

Acting Career

Cody started acting in the late 1920s. He worked in many films and TV shows throughout his life. He often played Native American characters. He claimed his parents were from the Cherokee and Cree tribes. He also changed his claimed birthplace many times.

Cody often dressed in his movie costumes in his daily life. He wore braided wigs, fringed leather clothes, and beaded moccasins. This made people believe he was truly Native American. He appeared in over 200 films. These included The Big Trail (1930) with John Wayne. He was also in Nevada Smith (1966) with Steve McQueen. His last film role was in Ernest Goes to Camp (1987).

Iron Eyes Cody and Roy Rogers in North of the Great Divide, 1950

He also appeared in more than a hundred television shows. In 1953, he was in The Cisco Kid. He also guest-starred on western shows like The Restless Gun and The Tall Man. Cody was friends with Walt Disney. He appeared in Disney shows like The First Americans and Davy Crockett. In 1974, he was on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

The "Crying Indian" Commercial

Cody became very famous for a "Keep America Beautiful" commercial. This was a PSA that first aired on Earth Day in 1971. In the ad, Cody, dressed in costume, sheds a tear. This happens after someone throws trash from a car window, and it lands at his feet.

The announcer, William Conrad, says: "People start pollution; people can stop it." This commercial was very successful. It helped reduce litter by a lot in many states.

Personal Life

In 1936, Cody married Bertha Parker Pallan. She was an archaeologist. They adopted two children, Robert and Arthur. The couple stayed married until Bertha passed away in 1978.

In 1996, a newspaper in New Orleans questioned Cody's background. They reported that he was Italian-American, not Native American. This was based on an interview with his half-sister and other documents. Cody, who by then always wore his Hollywood costumes, denied this claim.

Cody passed away on January 4, 1999, at age 94. He died from mesothelioma in Los Angeles. Before he died, he wrote a meaningful comment: "Make me ready to stand before you with clean and straight eyes. When life fades, as the fading sunset, may our spirits stand before you without shame."

Honors and Recognition

On April 20, 1983, Iron Eyes Cody received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 6601 Hollywood Boulevard.

In 1999, he was also honored with a Golden Palm Star. This star is on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California.

Film Roles

Television Roles

See also

• Chief Thundercloud
• Grey Owl
• Jamake Highwater
• Pretendian
• Rachel Dolezal
• Red Thunder Cloud
• Reel Injun