Viola davis biography actors guild acceptance speech

LOS ANGELES − Viola Davis is no stranger to accepting awards. But when the EGOT winner heard that she would receive a lifetime achievement award at the 2025 Golden Globes, she reacted in a manner that was different from past honors.

"This is a first award I was told that I won that made me cry," Davis, 59, told USA TODAY before receiving the Cecil B.

DeMille Award for achievement in entertainment at Friday night's inaugural Golden Gala. "Little Viola showed up who just never could imagine that she could evolve into this life, into this career. I just feel incredibly grateful today."

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The Golden Globes presented Viola with her honorary statuette at the gala.

The event also recognized Ted Danson, who received the Carol Burnett Award, given to person who's made outstanding contributions to tele Viola Davis in SAG speech: 'We have a story and it deserves ... REME