Beverly Hills, California – Viola Davis, a celebrated figure in Hollywood, shared the insightful mantra that has guided her career during a heartfelt acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence. The event took place on Friday night, as she reflected on her challenging childhood and how it ignited her passion for acting, which she often turned to as a means of escape. Furthermore, Davis candidly discussed the financial pressures that shaped her decision to accept various roles along her journey.
Addressing the audience, Davis remarked, “If I waited for a role that was written for me, well crafted, then I wouldn’t be standing up here.” Alongside Ted Danson, who received the Carol Burnett Award for his achievements in both film and television, Davis was honored at this star-studded, black-tie gala just ahead of the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards set for Sunday.
In attendance were many notable personalities, including Carol Burnett, Jane Fonda, Anthony Anderson, Steve Guttenberg, and singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. This event marks the first instance of the Golden Globes holding a distinct celebration for both the DeMille and Burnett awards.
Davis expressed that due to her background as a “dark-skinned Black woman with a wide nose and big lips,” she couldn’t afford the luxury of waiting for an ideal part. “So I took it for the money,” she stated, emphasizing how her performances in notable films like “Fences,” “The Help,” “The Woman King,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” as well as her compelling role in the television series “How to Get Away with Murder” reflect her skill and dedication to her craft.
In her speech, she asserted, “I don’t believe that poverty is really the answer to craft. I don’t think there’s any nobility in poverty.” Meryl Streep, who presented the award, praised Davis as a true artist, calling her someone who “delivers the truth every time.” Streep reminisced about their collaboration on the 2008 film “Doubt,” where she first recognized Davis’s brilliance, referring to her as her “favorite actor in the world.”
The DeMille Award has recognized many of Hollywood’s top talents in the past, including legends like Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, and Oprah Winfrey. As Davis shared the spotlight with Danson, the latter commended her talent, stating, “It’s such a pleasure to be in the same room with you.” Danson, well-known for his role as Sam Malone in “Cheers,” has had an illustrious career on television, appearing in various series like “The Good Place” and “Fargo.” He is currently seen in Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside,” which earned him a nomination, marking his first acknowledgment since 2008.
Mary Steenburgen, Danson’s wife, presented him with the Carol Burnett Award, which has been awarded since 2019, with previous recipients including Norman Lear and Ellen DeGeneres. Steenburgen reflected on the joy Danson brings to acting and how it positively impacts those he works with.
During his acceptance, Danson expressed gratitude for the support from colleagues and family, specifically mentioning “Cheers” co-creators Glen and Les Charles, who surprised him with their presence. “I feel so grateful,” he stated, adding, “I’m truly the luckiest… on Earth.”
Wrapping up her emotional address, Davis humorously reflected on her younger self, who she imagined would be thrilled by her journey from poverty to stardom. “Little Viola is squealing,” she said, as she compared her present achievements to the dreams of her child self. “She’s standing behind me and she’s pulling on my dress,” she continued, recalling how her younger version would have embraced her success wholeheartedly. Davis, who recently attained EGOT status by winning a Grammy, concluded with poignant nostalgia, saying her younger self would exclaim, “I told you I was a magician.”
