Beatrice DeMille

Matilda Beatrice deMille (January 30, 1853 – October 8, 1923) (born Matilda Beatrice Samuel; also known as Beatrice C. deMille, Agnes Graham, Tillie Samuel, Mrs. Henry deMille) was an English-American play broker, screenwriter, playwright, theater actress and entrepreneur. She had a part in founding Paramount Pictures. Her sons were pioneering filmmakers Cecil B. DeMille and William C. deMille.

Life deMille was born in Liverpool, England to German Jewish parents. She emigrated to New York with her family in 1871. She was married to Henry deMille, an aspiring actor in Brooklyn, New York, in 1876. He was a Christian so she had to marry without her family's approval.

Together, Beatrice deMille and Henry deMille worked primarily as teachers in a preparatory school. She taught elocution whilst her husband taught the children how to compose. However, during their vacation time Henry became successful as a playwright and actor and the family thrived.

In 1893, Henry died and deMille had to create an income. She converted her house in Pompton, New Jersey into the Henry C. deMille Preparatory School for Girls. She was able to trade a free class at that school with the President of a boys' school to get Cecil educated and William was sent to a school in Germany. At the same time she negotiated with her late husband's co-author to be the agent for their plays. This worked out and her success led to her representing the work of other writers. followed by Cecil B. DeMille in 1881 and daughter, Agnes Beatrice in 1891 who died four years later of spinal meningitis.

Plays The Greatest Thing in the World (co-written)

Filmography