Craig McDean had the opportunity to photograph Angelina Jolie for the March 2021 issue of British Vogue. The shots were taken at her home in Los Feliz where she has been isolated with her children during the pandemic. Unlike typical Hollywood mansions, Jolie resides in a compound that was once owned by Cecil B DeMille. She chose this property due to its proximity to her ex-husband, who is only five minutes away. Jolie appreciates the lack of an entertainment room and instead loves the abundance of pathways and spaces to take a stroll and ponder. She considers herself fortunate to have such a home during these times.
DeMille was a well-known Hollywood figure during the 20th century, renowned for his extravagant and sometimes provocative productions that aimed to teach moral lessons by exposing the sins of society, though this approach was questionable. His sets and costumes, however, were highly desirable, and his star Gloria Swanson once compared working with him to playing house in an upscale department store. While many of his movies, particularly his Biblical epics, have become outdated, he is still remembered for his cameo in Billy Wilder’s iconic film Sunset Boulevard, where he famously uttered the line “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille.”
Upon arriving on the West Coast to pursue a career in the film industry, DeMille settled into a Beaux-Arts mansion located in Los Feliz. He resided there until his passing in 1959 and proudly stated in his autobiography, published posthumously, that he had only ever lived in Hollywood since his arrival in California in 1913. Despite the increasing popularity of other areas like Beverly Hills and Bel Air, DeMille remained steadfast in his loyalty to Hollywood.
