Iron Eyes Cody was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “The Crying Indian” public service announcements, “A Man Called Horse,” and “Son of Paleface.”
Personal and Family Life
Born Espera Oscar DeCorti on April 3, 1907, in Gueydan, Louisiana, Iron Eyes Cody was the son of Italian immigrants. He adopted the name Cody when he moved to California in 1924, where he began his acting career, often portraying Native American characters. He married Bertha Parker, a Native American archaeologist, in 1936, and they adopted two sons of Native American descent.
Death and Legacy
Iron Eyes Cody passed away on January 4, 1999, from natural causes in Los Angeles, California. He was buried alongside his wife Bertha Parker at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Cody’s legacy includes a controversy over his heritage, as he claimed Native American descent despite being of Italian ancestry, yet he received recognition from the Native American community for his work promoting their causes.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Smith | 1966-06-10 | Taka-Ta (uncredited) |
| Son of Paleface | 1952-07-14 | Chief Yellow Cloud |
| Grayeagle | 1977-12-28 | Standing Bear |
| A Man Called Horse | 1970-05-01 | Medicine Man |
| Broken Arrow | 1950-08-01 | Teese, Court Jester |
| The Senator Was Indiscreet | 1947-12-31 | Indian |
| The Paleface | 1948-12-17 | Chief Iron Eyes |
| Ernest Goes to Camp | 1987-05-22 | Old Indian Chief |
| Fighting With Kit Carson | 1933-07-01 | Cheyenne Rider |
| Apache War Smoke | 1952-09-25 | Apache with Major Dekker’s Hat |