William C. DeMille

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Willam C. deMille (July 25, 1878 – March 8, 1955) was a screenwriter and film director from the silent movie era through the early 1930s. He was also a noted playwright prior to moving into film.

DeMille was born in Washington, DC, to playwright and screenwriter Beatrice C. de Mille and the elder brother of the versatile Cecil B. DeMille, who altered the spelling of his last name when he went to Hollywood, claiming that it fit better on marquees. (William continued to be known as "deMille," while his daughter Agnes chose "de Mille.") William received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University followed by graduate studies at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, at schools in Germany, and a second stint at Columbia studying under Brander Matthews.

In 1903 he married Anna Angela George, the daughter of notable economist Henry George. Anna bore William two children, choreographer Agnes de Mille and actress Peggy George. Professionally, their life was stable. A successful Broadway playwright, William's works were regularly produced by the flamboyant impresario David Belasco. One notable production, "The Warrens of Virginia" (1907) featured future film star Mary Pickford and Cecil, both struggling actors playing minor roles. Cecil eventually moved to Hollywood and William followed suit. Though not as famous today as Cecil, he was one of the silents' most respected directors. And though most of his silents have been lost, 1921's "Miss Lulu Bett" shows a delicate touch in the telling of an impoverished spinster's misfortunes in a small town.

One of the writers involved in the film was Clara Beranger. At about this time, William also met Lorna Moon, an established New York author who also wrote sophisticated Hollywood comedies. In 1998, Richard de Mille, who had grown up in Cecil's household, revealed in the memoir "My Secret Mother, Lorna Moon" that William C. deMille was his father and screenwriter Moon his biological mother. Richard had been adopted by Cecil B. and Constance DeMille to avoid a family scandal. Apparently, William's wife never knew the truth of Richards's birth.

In addition to his filmmaking fame, William deMille was an early member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (His brother was a founding member.) He co-hosted the 1st Academy Awards and solo-hosted the 2nd Academy Awards. He also served as the president of the academy briefly. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6101 Hollywood Blvd.

DeMille died in 1955 while living in Playa del Rey, California and was interred in the Hollywood Cemetery.