Viola Davis Honored with Cecil B. DeMille Award

Viola Davis: Golden Globes’ Latest Legend

Viola Davis is adding another shiny trophy to her EGOT collection. This time, it’s the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes.

The 59-year-old powerhouse is being celebrated for her extraordinary impact on film and culture, a recognition that feels long overdue.

Helen Hoehne, the Golden Globes president, couldn’t put it better: “Viola Davis is a luminary whose profound talent has continuously shifted the lens through which we see and understand the film.”

A Night to Remember: Viola Davis & Ted Danson Shine

Viola Davis, alongside Ted Danson, who will be receiving the Carol Burnett Award honoring his television achievements, took center stage at a glamorous gala dinner on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

It’s the first time the Golden Globes hosted a special evening to honor these two icons with the Cecil B. DeMille and Carol Burnett Awards.

Viola Davis: The Golden Globe Moment

Viola Davis took home her first Golden Globe in 2017 for her role in Fences , starring alongside Denzel Washington. That win was a major milestone in her career, showcasing her incredible talent and leaving an unforgettable mark on the industry.

It wasn’t just a Golden Globe, though. She also earned an Oscar that same year for her unforgettable performance as the long-suffering wife in  Fences .

A Golden Globe Nominee, Year After Year

Since her breakout role in Doubt , Viola Davis’ career has been on an upward trajectory. In 2009, she earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.

She went on to collect six more Golden Globe nominations along with the win in 2017 for Fences : for The Help (2012), How to Get Away with Murder (2015 and 2016), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2021), and The Woman King (2023). Her consistent success is a testament to her incredible talent.

Cecil B. DeMille Award: The Pinnacle of Hollywood Honor

Named after the legendary filmmaker, the Cecil B. DeMille Award has been honoring Hollywood’s brightest stars since 1952. Past recipients include Walt Disney, Denzel Washington, Jack Warner, Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda and Eddie Murphy.

Now, Viola Davis will join this prestigious list. This recognition places her firmly among the most celebrated figures in Hollywood.

EGOT and Emmy History Maker

Viola Davis stands as one of only 27 people in history to achieve the coveted EGOT, with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards in her collection. Her Emmy win in 2015 for How to Get Away with Murder was groundbreaking, making her the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

This was just one of five Emmy nominations for Davis, each a testament to her unmatched talent. Her ability to break barriers and redefine success in Hollywood is truly inspiring.

A Two-Time Tony Winner

Viola Davis made her Broadway debut in 1996 with Seven Guitars , earning a Tony nomination. Five years later, she won her first Tony Award for her powerful performance in King Hedley II .

She took home another Tony in 2010 for her unforgettable performance as Rose Maxson in Fences . It’s remarkable to see her excel on both stage and screen.

Oscar Nominee and History-Maker

As of 2024, Viola Davis holds the title of the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history. She’s been nominated for an Oscar four times, with her first win coming in 2017 for the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences .

In addition, Davis earned Oscar nominations for The Help , Doubt , and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom , another Wilson adaptation.

Her Oscar win for Fences made her the first Black performer to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, having won a competitive Oscar, Emmy, and Tony.

The EGOT Journey Complete with a Grammy

Viola Davis achieved EGOT status in 2023 when she won a Grammy for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for her memoir Finding Me. That win added a Grammy to her already impressive list of awards, and her memoir also landed her on the New York Times best-seller list.

In Finding Me , Davis shares her powerful story, saying, “In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.”

The Journey from Stage to Screen

Viola Davis began her career in 1992 with an off-Broadway debut in As You Like It . She made waves as Denis, showcasing her undeniable talent in Shakespeare’s comedy.

By 1996, Davis was lighting up Broadway in Seven Guitars , earning rave reviews for her role as Vera. That same year, she got her first taste of Hollywood with a small role in The Substance of Fire , marking the beginning of her screen career. Little did anyone know, a star was on the rise.

A Star Rising on Broadway and Beyond

In 2001, Viola Davis made waves on Broadway again with King Hedley II , where she portrayed Tonya, a mother fighting for the right to abort a pregnancy. Her bold, powerful performance cemented her reputation as a commanding actress.

Before her breakthrough role in Doubt , Davis had already built an impressive film career, starring in movies like Solaris , Traffic , and Antwone Fisher . She returned to Broadway in 2010 with Fences , delivering an unforgettable performance as Rose Maxson alongside Denzel Washington.

A Career of Unstoppable Growth

Viola Davis earned worldwide recognition in 2011 for her role as Aibileen Clark in The Help , earning praise alongside an all-star cast. Her performance captivated audiences, solidifying her as a powerhouse in Hollywood.

In 2014, she took on her groundbreaking role in How to Get Away with Murder , where her portrayal of Annalise Keating earned critical acclaim. Her career continued to soar, with notable roles in Blackhat starring Chris Hemsworth.

Davis also served as executive-producer of the crime drama film  Lila & Eve , starring herself and Jennifer Lopez. In 2016, Davis returned to her role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences , directed by and starring Denzel Washington.

A Legacy of Powerful Roles

Viola Davis has become a force in Hollywood with standout roles in films like Widows (2018), where she received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.

She also reprised her role as Amanda Waller in The Suicide Squad (2021) and the Peacemaker series, continuing to make waves in the superhero genre.

In 2022, Davis starred in The Woman King , a historic action film based on true events. She also portrayed Michelle Obama in The First Lady (2022) and voiced the Chameleon in Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024), showcasing her versatile talent across various genres.

Recognitions for Impact Beyond Entertainment

Viola Davis was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017, a well-deserved recognition of her impact on and off-screen.

In 2022, she received the Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award for her dedication to social justice causes.

She has also been awarded honorary doctorates in Fine Arts from Rhode Island College in 2002 and Indiana University in 2020, recognizing her incredible contributions to both the arts and society.

JuVee Productions

In 2011, Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded JuVee Productions with a powerful mission: to give a voice to the voiceless through impactful storytelling.

The company has become a platform for both emerging and established talent, reflecting their dedication to inclusivity and equality in the entertainment world.

Davis, also a passionate activist for human rights and women of color, has turned this vision into a reality. What better way to use her platform than to uplift others?

Championing Change Through Philanthropy

Viola Davis has dedicated much of her time and resources to giving back, from supporting her alma mater’s theater program to funding efforts that fight childhood hunger through Hunger Is.

Her commitment also extends to health care initiatives, like the Vaseline Healing Project, which provides vital dermatological care to underserved communities. Her efforts remind us that success isn’t only about awards, it’s about making a meaningful impact.

Viola Davis takes the spotlight, explore her recent honor at the Red Sea Film Festival .

The Grind of Success and the Heart of Family

“Being on top is a grind,” Davis shared with The Times in 2022. “Everyone wants to be on top. That’s the whole goal. ‘I want to be Cate Blanchett. I want to be Meryl Streep.’ It’s a sacrifice.”

However, for Davis, true success is found in her family. “If anyone were to ask me what my life was, I would say, ‘Genesis, Julius, my mom. They’re my heartbeat.’” A powerful reminder of what truly matters.

Dive deep into the event, 2025 Golden Globes: Inside the Glamorous Night in which Viola Davis was honored.

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