James Neill was a stage actor who headed his own stock company which toured throughout the West. He first appeared on the stage in New York in 1883. He married Edythe Chapman, an actress in his company. Neill's company preformed in Seattle several times; productions included "Barbara Frietchie" (January 1902) and "Red Knight" (October 1902) at the Grand Opera House. Neill went on to become a successful screen actor, often co-starring with his wife. They performed together in Cecil B. DeMille's silent films "The Ten Commandments," "The Little American," and "Manslaughter."