Iron Eyes Cody was honored March 1 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One of his sons, wearing Indian headdress, kneels beside him and Johnny Grant can be seen behind on his right. Iron Eyes Cody (1904-1999) was an actor born in Kaplan, Louisiana. The son of Sicilian immigrants, Francesca Salpietra and Antonio De Corti, he was born Espera De Corti (or Oscar, as he was called), but changed his name in 1924, from Corti to Cody. Iron Eyes began his acting career at the age of 12 and continued to work until the time of his death, appearing in more than 200 films, but becoming most famous for his "Crying Indian" role in the Keep America Beautiful public service announcement in the early 1970s. Although he was not born a Native American (he claimed to be part Cherokee and part Cree), he lived his adult years as one. In 1995, Hollywood's Native American community honored Cody for his longstanding contribution to Native American causes. Iron Eyes Cody died on January 5, 1999 at the age of 94 and was buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Cody, Iron Eyes,--1904-1999 Grant, Johnny Motion picture actors and actresses--United States Costumes Awards Hollywood Walk of Fame Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.) Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (Calif.)
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