Beverly Hills, California — Viola Davis has become one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, known for her powerful performances and unwavering dedication to her craft. Her journey to success was not an easy one, but she has emerged as a shining star in the industry, inspiring others with her straightforward mantra: embrace every role, use it as a chance to explore new characters, and hone your skills.
This was evident in Davis’ moving 16-minute speech as she accepted the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence on Friday night. She reflected on her turbulent upbringing and how it fueled her passion for acting as an escape. Davis also spoke about how financial necessity often influenced her choice of roles.
In her speech, Davis shared, “If I waited for a role that was written for me, well-crafted, then I wouldn’t be standing here.” Her honesty and vulnerability touched the hearts of everyone in attendance. Along with Ted Danson, recipient of the Carol Burnett Award, Davis was celebrated for her career achievements in film and television during the star-studded, black-tie gala dinner in Beverly Hills, California, just two nights before the 82nd annual Golden Globes on Sunday.
The event was attended by some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Carol Burnett, Jane Fonda, Anthony Anderson, Steve Guttenberg, and singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. It was the first time the Globes hosted a separate event dedicated to honoring both film and television awards.
Davis spoke about the challenges she faced as a “dark-skinned Black woman with a wide nose and big lips.” She shared that she couldn’t afford to wait for the perfect role, so she often took on roles for the paycheck. However, with each role, she poured her heart and soul into it, delivering powerful performances that captivated audiences.
She also emphasized that poverty is not the answer to honing one’s craft. Davis believes that there is no nobility in poverty and that everyone deserves to be fairly compensated for their hard work and talent.
Meryl Streep, who presented the award to Davis, called her a pure artist who “delivers the truth every time.” The two actors had previously worked together in the 2008 film “Doubt,” where Streep first became in awe of Davis. She even went on to call Davis her “favorite actor in the world.”
The Cecil B. DeMille Award has been bestowed upon some of Hollywood’s greatest talents, including Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Streep, Barbra Streisand, and Sidney Poitier. Davis now joins this prestigious list, cementing her place as one of the industry’s finest.
When Ted Danson accepted his Carol Burnett Award, he congratulated Davis, calling her an “amazing actor.” He also expressed his pleasure at being in the same room as her. Danson, a three-time Golden Globe winner, has been a fixture on TV since he broke out as Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBC’s comedy “Cheers.” His other credits include “The Good Place,” “Mr. Mayor,” “Fargo,” “CSI,” “CSI: Cyber,” “Damages,” and “Becker.”
Danson’s latest project, Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside,” has earned him his first nomination since 2008 and 13th overall. His wife, actor Mary Steenburgen, presented him with the Carol Burnett Award, which was inaugurated in 2019. Past recipients include Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy, and Ellen DeGeneres, with the first being Burnett herself.
Steenburgen and Danson have worked on a few projects together, including “Pontiac Moon,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” and “It Must Be Love.” She shared how proud she was to watch her husband’s love and joy for acting, which sets the tone for everyone on set.
Danson also traded “I love you” with Burnett, showing their admiration for each other. He thanked a number of writers, producers, and actors, along with the “Cheers” co-creators Glen and Les Charles, who surprised him by showing up to the event.
In his acceptance speech, Danson expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel so grateful. I’m truly the luckiest person on Earth.”
Davis, in her signature witty style,
