DeMille was the best known director in the world, decorated by many governments and blessed by the Pope, and finally he was singled out by the Industry that he had fathered from its early days to receive its highest recognition, The Academy Award, for his next film. The Greatest Show on Earth. Strangely, he received only three Oscars in his 45 year career. First in 1950 as a general recognition of thirty seven years of brilliant showmanship, given as a sop to hollywood’s conscience; and secondly, for Greatest Show, his 69th and the weakest of his last great films, again as an apology that perhaps he had been neglected. Then, as if to verify what had merely been suggested by his second Oscar, the AMPAS voted him the Irving Thalberg Award, which is bestowed on rare occasions to a filmmaker for outstanding years of producing and directing.

• 1957 Nominated Oscar Best Picture for: Ten Commandments, The (1956)
• 1953 Won Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
• 1952 Oscar Best Picture for: Greatest Show on Earth, The
• 1950 Won Honorary Award Distinguished motion picture pioneer for 37 years of brilliant showmanship.
• 1935 Nominated Oscar Best Picture for: Cleopatra (1934)
• 1953
  Directors Guild of America, USA Won Lifetime Achievement Award
• 1953 Golden Globes, USA Won Golden Globe Best Director for: Greatest Show on Earth, The (1952)
• 1952 Won Cecil B. DeMille Award