Constance Adams DeMille was an American actress and wife of filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille.
Early life
Constance was born the daughter of Judge Fredrick Adams, New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals, and Ella Adams, Frederic’s first wife. Constance was raised in East Orange, NJ. Judge Frederic Adams married a second time to a woman also named Ella.
Career
After graduating from school, Constance headed for the stage. She appeared briefly in Hearts are Trumps in Washington, DC and on Broadway, starring in the play, The Man on the Box, from October 1905 to January 1906. She appeared in only one film, playing the part of 'Mrs. Rowland' in Where the Trail Divides. In 1920 while still associated with Famous Players-Lasky, her husband formed his own new company Cecil B. DeMille Productions with his lawyer, Constance and his sister in law Ella King Adams who also worked as his script reader.
Personal life
While performing, she met and later married Cecil Blount DeMille. Their wedding took place at noon, on August 16, 1902, at her parents home 77 Washington Street, East Orange, New Jersey. The bride's sister Rebecca Appleton Adams was her Maid of Honor. Cecil's brother William C. DeMille, was his Best Man. The residence was decorated with flowers and palms. Following a reception there, the DeMilles went on honeymoon, before latter setting up a residence in New York City. The DeMilles first met in Washington, D.C. where she had joined the company of the play Hearts are Trumps. For Cecil this play marked his first appearance on stage and it had played for many months in NY before it went on the road. Her father was not enthusiastic about the match for his daughter, hence a small wedding at home. Their marriage lasted 56 years, until Cecil’s death. They had one daughter by birth, Cecilia, and adopted Katherine, John and Richard. Richard DeMille was raised as their adopted son but was in fact the son of Cecil's brother William and Lorna Moon. Constance outlived her husband by a year and a half, dying in the summer of 1960. She is buried in Hollywood and is remembered by a memorial banyan tree she planted in 1933 along Hilo, Hawaii's Banyan Drive.
