In regards to a conversation I had yesterday with Snotty and Adrian while we were roaming the Olympic Sculpture Park, one of the topics of conversation was the "crying Indian" commercial that played in the 1970's for the Keep America Beautiful campaign.
I remembered that the actor wasn't actually Native American at all, and had to go back and look up the info on him. He was "Iron Eyes" Cody but Wikipedia tells more of the story:
"Cody was born Espera de Corti, a son of Antonio de Corti and his wife Francesca Salpietra, immigrants from Sicily. In some of his earliest acting credits Cody was listed as Tony de Corti. He would soon change his name and claim to be part Cherokee and part Cree.
In 1996, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported his Sicilian heritage, but Cody denied it at the time because he was "ashamed" of his Italian heritage. Cody and his wife Bertha adopted several children, all Native Americans."
In 1996, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported his Sicilian heritage, but Cody denied it at the time because he was "ashamed" of his Italian heritage. Cody and his wife Bertha adopted several children, all Native Americans."
Perhaps he actually was part Native American. But it sure doesn't sound like it. He died in 1999 at the age of 94.
1 comment:
*throws a Coke can on the ground*
Take THAT.
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