Cecil B. DeMille

director, producer, screenwriter
Born: 8/12/1881
Birthplace: Ashfield, Massachusetts

An innovative and influential figure in the development of Hollywood filmmaking, he is best known for his big budget epic films, includingThe Ten Commandments(1923),King of Kings(1927),Cleopatra(1934),The Crusades(1935), andThe Greatest Show on Earth(1952), which won anAcademy Awardfor Best Picture.

Died: 1/21/1959