Cecil B. DeMille

Biography

Cecil Blount DeMille (August 12, 1881 – January 21, 1959) was an American filmmaker, known as a founder of the Hollywood motion-picture industry, one of the most commercially successful producer-directors of his time, and one of the most influential filmmakers in history. Between 1914 and 1956, he made seventy feature films; all but seven were profitable. Cecil B. DeMille is synonymous with religious epics: The King of Kings, Samson and Delilah, and The Ten Commandments (1956). He blended spectacle, sex, and spellbinding narrative to convey a message of faith. It was DeMille who created the image of the omnipotent director, megaphone in hand, wearing boots and a visored cap. DeMille gave Hollywood numerous stars: Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, William (“Hopalong Cassidy”) Boyd, Claudette Colbert, Robert Preston, Jean Arthur, and Charlton Heston. DeMille created the posts of studio...

Known For

Career Timeline

19141920192619321938194419501956
  1. 1956
    The Ten Commandments

    Director • Directing

  2. 1952
    The Greatest Show on Earth

    Director • Directing

  3. 1949
    Samson and Delilah

    Director • Directing

  4. 1947
    Unconquered

    Director • Directing

  5. 1944
    The Story of Dr. Wassell

    Director • Directing

  6. 1942
    Reap the Wild Wind

    Director • Directing

  7. 1940
    North West Mounted Police

    Director • Directing

  8. 1939
    Union Pacific

    Director • Directing

Cecil B. DeMille - Aperture