BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) 鈥 Viola Davis' journey to becoming one of Hollywood's most revered actors was driven by a straightforward mantra: Embrace every role, using each as a paycheck and a chance to explore new characters while honing her skills.
Davis delivered a moving, 16-minute speech while accepting the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence on Friday night. She reflected on how her turbulent upbringing fueled her passion for acting as an escape and how financial necessity often influenced her choice of roles.
鈥淚f I waited for a role that was written for me, well crafted, then I wouldn鈥檛 be standing up here,鈥 said Davis, who along with , recipient of the Carol Burnett Award, were celebrated for their career achievements in film and television during a star-studded, black-tie gala dinner in Beverly Hills, California, just two nights before the 82nd annual on Sunday.
Some of the popular names in attendance included , , , Steve Guttenberg and singer-songwriter . Itsa国际传媒 the first time the Globes hosted a separate event dedicated to both awards.
Davis said she couldn't afford to wait for the perfect role, especially as a 鈥渄ark-skinned Black woman with a wide nose and big lips.鈥
鈥淪o I took it for the money,鈥 said Davis, who won praise for a string of compelling characters in films such as 鈥淭he Help鈥 and while captivating TV audiences through the legal thriller drama 鈥淗ow to Get Away with Murder.鈥
鈥淚 don鈥檛 believe that poverty is really the answer to craft,鈥 she said. "I don鈥檛 think theresa国际传媒 any nobility in poverty.鈥
presented the award to Davis, who she called a pure artist who 鈥渄elivers the truth every time.鈥 Both actors worked together in the 2008 film 鈥淒oubt,鈥 where Streep first became in awe of Davis, who she called her 鈥渇avorite actor in the world.鈥
The DeMille Award has been bestowed on Hollywoodsa国际传媒 greatest talents. Past recipients include Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Streep, Barbra Streisand and Sidney Poitier.
When Danson accepted his award, he congratulated Davis, calling her an 鈥渁mazing actor.鈥
鈥淚t's such a pleasure to be in the same room with you,鈥 said Danson, a three-time Globes winner, who has been a fixture on TV since he broke out as Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBCsa国际传媒 comedy 鈥淐heers.鈥 His other credits include 鈥淭he Good Place,鈥 鈥淔argo,鈥 鈥淐SI鈥 and 鈥淐SI: Cyber,鈥 鈥淒amages鈥 and 鈥淏ecker.鈥
Danson currently stars in Netflixsa国际传媒 鈥淎 Man on the Inside,鈥 which earned his first nomination since 2008 and 13th overall.
鈥淏ia Iftikhar, who does his hair on set, said it best: 鈥楾ed sets the tone,鈥欌 said his wife, actor Mary Steenburgen, who presented Danson with the Carol Burnett Award, which was inaugurated in 2019. Past recipients include Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy and Ellen DeGeneres. The first was Burnett herself.
Danson and Steenburgen appeared in a few projects together including 鈥淧ontiac Moon,鈥 鈥淕ulliver's Travels鈥 and 鈥淚t Must Be Love.鈥
鈥淗e's so loving and takes such joy in acting that all of us who are hard at work away from our families for long hours get to work on a set that is dictated by his kindness,鈥 Steenburgen said. 鈥淎s his wife, watching the respect and love ... for Ted, it made me very proud.鈥
Danson traded 鈥淚 love you鈥 with Burnett, showing admiration for each other. He thanked a number of writers, producers and actors along with the 鈥淐heers鈥 co-creators Glen and Les Charles, who surprised him by showing up to the event.
鈥淚 feel so grateful,鈥 he said. 鈥淚'm truly the luckiest... on Earth."
Davis quipped, 鈥淟ittle Viola is squealing," referring to how her younger self would be overjoyed at the actor's journey from an impoverished childhood to Hollywood stardom.
鈥淪he's standing behind me and she's pulling on my dress,鈥 said Davis, who after winning a Grammy last year for best audio book, narration, and storytelling for the recording for her memoir 鈥淔inding Me.鈥
鈥淪he's wearing the same red rubber boots that she wore rain or shine because they her feel 鈥榩urty'" she continued. "What she's whispering is: 鈥業 told you I was a magician.鈥欌
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