Beatrice DeMille

Biography

Beatrice DeMille began her life in theatre as a vivacious stage performer whose work in the late 19th century left an imprint on vaudeville and the early American stage. A keen teacher of diction and dramatic expression, she welcomed aspiring actors into the family salon where she taught the discipline and poise that would become the hallmark of her beloved children.

She guided the careers of Cecil, William, and their siblings with a steady hand, encouraging them to respect the craft and the audiences they served, and in doing so helped to lay a foundation for the emerging motion picture industry in Los Angeles.