Viola Davis Will Receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes

Mar. 15, 2025

Viola Davis arrives at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.Photo:Christopher Polk/NBC/NBC via Getty

Christopher Polk/NBC/NBC via Getty

Viola Davisis being honored for her talents.The 59-year-old actress will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 82nd annualGolden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Wednesday, Nov. 20.Davis has earned sevenGolden Globe nominationsacross both film and television. She earned her firstGolden Globe in 2017 for best supporting actressin a motion picture, for her portrayal of Rose Lee Maxson inFences. She was nominated for her work in the moviesThe Woman Kingin 2023,Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomin 2021,The Helpin 2012,Doubtin 2009; and for her work in the ABC dramaHow to Get Away with Murderin 2015 and 2016.“Viola Davis is a luminary whose profound talent has continuously shifted the lens through which we see and understand film,” Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne said in a statement.“Presenting her with the 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award is not only an honor but a reflection of our admiration for her relentless dedication to her craft and her monumental impact on the industry.” continued Hoehne’s statement. “Viola’s courage in portraying complex, powerful characters has broken barriers and paved new paths, making her an emblem of excellence and an ideal recipient of this prestigious award.“Viola Davis during the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.Davis has also earnedEGOT statusthrough her Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and multiple Tony Award wins. She scored aTonyand anOscarfor her work inFenceson stage and on screen. She also earned a Tony for best featured actress in a play forKing Hedley II.The actress won an Emmy for her work inHow to Get Away with Murder. In 2023, she earned aGrammy for best audiobook narrationfor her memoirFinding Me.Viola Davis at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyPrevious recipients of the Cecil B. DeMille Award includeOprah Winfrey,Eddie Murphy,Jane Fonda,George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks and more. The award is named after its first recipient, the late film director Cecil B. DeMille.In August, comedianNikki Glaserwas announced as the host ofthe upcoming awards show.This year’s nominations will be announced on Monday, Dec. 9.The 2025 Golden Globe Awards air live Sunday, Jan. 5, from 5–8 p.m. PT/8–11 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

Viola Davisis being honored for her talents.

The 59-year-old actress will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 82nd annualGolden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Davis has earned sevenGolden Globe nominationsacross both film and television. She earned her firstGolden Globe in 2017 for best supporting actressin a motion picture, for her portrayal of Rose Lee Maxson inFences. She was nominated for her work in the moviesThe Woman Kingin 2023,Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomin 2021,The Helpin 2012,Doubtin 2009; and for her work in the ABC dramaHow to Get Away with Murderin 2015 and 2016.

“Viola Davis is a luminary whose profound talent has continuously shifted the lens through which we see and understand film,” Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne said in a statement.

“Presenting her with the 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award is not only an honor but a reflection of our admiration for her relentless dedication to her craft and her monumental impact on the industry.” continued Hoehne’s statement. “Viola’s courage in portraying complex, powerful characters has broken barriers and paved new paths, making her an emblem of excellence and an ideal recipient of this prestigious award.”

Viola Davis during the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Davis has also earnedEGOT statusthrough her Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and multiple Tony Award wins. She scored aTonyand anOscarfor her work inFenceson stage and on screen. She also earned a Tony for best featured actress in a play forKing Hedley II.

The actress won an Emmy for her work inHow to Get Away with Murder. In 2023, she earned aGrammy for best audiobook narrationfor her memoirFinding Me.

Viola Davis at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Previous recipients of the Cecil B. DeMille Award includeOprah Winfrey,Eddie Murphy,Jane Fonda,George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Jodie Foster, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks and more. The award is named after its first recipient, the late film director Cecil B. DeMille.

In August, comedianNikki Glaserwas announced as the host ofthe upcoming awards show.This year’s nominations will be announced on Monday, Dec. 9.

The 2025 Golden Globe Awards air live Sunday, Jan. 5, from 5–8 p.m. PT/8–11 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

source: people.com