Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts in 1881 and grew up in Washington, North Carolina. DeMille followed in his father’s footsteps by embarking on a career in theater. DeMille attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and started a career as a Broadway actor in 1900. He also produced and directed many plays. In 1913, DeMille started making movies, directing numerous of silent films before switching to sound films in 1929. Some of his best known films include The Ten Commandments, the Academy Award-winning The Greatest Show on Earth, Cleopatra, and Samson and Delilah. DeMille died of a heart attack at age 75.