Actress Viola Davis was honoured with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2025.
This accolade, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.
The ceremony, held at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, featured a heartfelt introduction by Meryl Streep, who previously received the same honour in 2017.
Meryl Streep and Viola Davis share a history of mutual admiration, having co-starred in the 2008 film Doubt. In her introduction, Streep praised Davis’s remarkable talent, resilience, and dedication to her craft, highlighting her transformative performances and unwavering commitment to storytelling.
Upon accepting the award, Davis delivered a powerful and emotional speech, reflecting on her journey in the entertainment industry.
She spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced as an African-American woman in Hollywood and emphasised the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling. Davis expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has had and underscored her commitment to paving the way for future generations of artists.
Viola Davis’s illustrious career spans over three decades, with notable performances in films such as Fences—for which she won an Academy Award—The Help, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
She has also made significant contributions to television, most notably in her role as Annalise Keating in the series How to Get Away with Murder.
This role earned her an Emmy Award, making her the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
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