Karsh The Ten Commandments portrait

Yousuf Karsh/De Mille Archives

Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil Blount DeMille was a founder of the Hollywood motion-picture industry. His first film, The Squaw Man, was the first feature film shot in Hollywood. His last, The Ten Commandments, remains a box-office legend. He made stars and cultivated artists. He was successful in aviation, banking, real estate, and radio. He received scores of honors, most notably two Academy Awards.® Mr. DeMille is the most successful producer-director in the history of film.