Beginning his career at age 13 as a stagehand for 'D.W. Griffith , considered to be his masterpiece. He was found dead in his beach house in 1934, victim of an apparent suicide.
Slated to direct The Good Earth , Hill was found dead, an apparent suicide, during pre-production work on the film and director Sidney Franklin was called upon to complete the project.
Directed 2 actors to Oscar nominations: Wallace Beery (Best Actor, The Big House (1930) ) and Marie Dressler (Best Actress, Min and Bill (1930) ). Dressler won an Oscar for her performance in Hills film.
