Iron Eyes Cody, born Espera de Corti (April 3, 1907 - January 4, 1999) was an American actor. He was recognized for portraying Native Americans in Hollywood films. Near the end of his life, his Italian ancestry was made public. In 1995 he was honored by the Native American community for his portrayals.
Early life
Cody was born Espera de Corti in Kaplan, Louisiana, a son of Antonio de Corti and his wife, Francesca Salpietra, immigrants from Sicily. They had a local grocery store in Gueydan, Louisiana, where he was raised.
In some of his earliest acting credits, Cody was listed as Tony de Corti. He and his two brothers, who were also acting, changed their surname to "Cody". Tony Cody then claimed to be part Cherokee and Cree.
Film career
Cody began his acting career at the age of twelve and continued to work until the time of his death. He appeared in more than 200 films, including The Big Trail (1930), with John Wayne; Sitting Bull (1954), as Crazy Horse; Nevada Smith (1966), with Steve McQueen; A Man Called Horse (1970), with Richard Harris; and Ernest Goes to Camp (1987), with Jim Varney. In 1953, he appeared twice as Chief Big Cloud in Duncan Renaldo's syndicated western television series, The Cisco Kid.
He was most famous for his "crying Indian" role in the "Keep America Beautiful" public service announcement in the early 1970s.[1] It was an ecology commercial in which an Indian (Cody) sheds a tear after some trash is thrown from a speeding car and lands at his feet. The announcer, William Conrad, of Bullwinkle and Cannon fame, memorably declares: "People start pollution; people can stop it."
The Joni Mitchell song "Lakota," from the 1988 album, Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm, features Cody's chanting.[2]
Cody had a cameo in the 1990 film Spirit of '76.
Legacy and honors
In 1995, the Hollywood Native American community honored Cody for his contributions to Native American life. They cared for the activities which he had carried out.[3]
In 1996, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported his Sicilian heritage, but Cody denied it. He lived all his adult life claiming he was Native American and supported Native causes. Cody and his wife Bertha, who was Native American, adopted several children, all Native American.
Cody died in 1999. He was interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. He was survived by his adopted son, Native American flautist Robert "Tree" Cody.
Thomas King named and created a character based on Iron Eyes in his novel Green Grass, Running Water.
Filmography
References
External links
| Movie |
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 1930 |
The Big Trail |
(uncredited) .... Indian |
In 2006, the United States Library of Congress deemed this film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. |
| 1931 |
Fighting Caravans |
(uncredited) .... Indian 'Firewater'...aka Blazing Arrows |
During the Civil War, freight wagons make their way West, crossing hostile Indian country. |
| 1931 |
Oklahoma Jim |
Indian 'War Eagle' |
|
| 1954 |
Sitting Bull |
Indian 'Crazy Horse' |
Depicts the war between Chief Sitting Bull and the American forces, leading up to the Battle of Little Big Horn and Custer's Last Stand |
| 1966 |
Nevada Smith |
(uncredited) .... Indian Taka-Ta |
|
| 1977 |
Grayeagle |
Indian 'Standing Bear' |
|
| 1987 |
Ernest Goes to Camp |
Old Indian 'Chief St. Cloud' |
His last major movie |
| Television |
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 1982 |
Fantasy Island |
|
1 Episode |
| 1986 |
The A-Team |
Chief Watashi |
1 Episode |
| 1986 |
Mission of Peace |
Chief Watashi |
1 Episode |