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Viola Davis honored with Cecil B. DeMille Award

January 05, 2025, 10:57 PM


Viola Davis was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at a gala dinner Friday night at the Beverly Hilton.

The Cecil B. DeMille Award, which was first created in 1952, honors iconic Hollywood talents "for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment," according to the Golden Globes website.

Viola Davis attends the inaugural Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence ahead of the 82nd Annual Golden Globes, in Los Angeles, Jan. 3, 2025.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

"I feel like someone just set me on fire," Davis said in her acceptance speech.

Davis went on to detail challenges she overcame early in life, saying her younger self wouldn't believe the family, friends and career she counts as blessings today.

"Little Viola is squealing," the actress said. "She's standing behind me now and she's pulling on my dress."

Davis, who won a Golden Globe Award in 2017 for her role in "Fences," has also been nominated for her roles in "Doubt," "The Help," "How to Get Away with Murder," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "The Woman King."

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