[citation needed] William was the elder brother of Cecil B. DeMille, who altered the capitalization of his last name when he went to Hollywood, claiming that it fit better on marquees.

Anna and William had two children, Agnes de Mille – named after a younger sister who died in childhood – who became a noted choreographer and Peggy George, who became an actress.

The former featured future film star Mary Pickford and Cecil, both struggling actors playing minor roles.

[1] At about this time, he met Lorna Moon, an established New York author from Scotland, who also wrote sophisticated Hollywood comedies.

[citation needed] In addition to his filmmaking fame, William deMille was an early member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

DeMille helped found the USC Film School in 1929, and after his East Coast theatrical career failed to revive in the early 1930s, he was active on the faculty there until his death.