Viola Davis Named 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award Honoree by Golden Globes®

Viola Davis Named 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award Honoree by Golden Globes®

The Golden Globes® have announced that actress, producer, and EGOT winner Viola Davis will be the recipient of the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for 2025. The honor, bestowed annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment, places Davis in the company of Hollywood legends such as Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, and Oprah Winfrey.

Davis first captured the attention of the Golden Globes in 2017 when she won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Fences, the film adaptation of August Wilson’s screenplay, starring opposite Denzel Washington, a fellow Cecil B. DeMille honoree.

Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globes, described Davis as a “luminary” whose impact on the entertainment industry is both profound and transformative. “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,” Hoehne said.

With a career that spans acting, producing, philanthropy, and activism, Davis has consistently pushed boundaries. As one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status—winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—she continues to redefine what it means to be a multi-hyphenate talent in Hollywood. In addition to her numerous accolades, she is a New York Times best-selling author, a Time 100 honoree, and an advocate for social justice. Her philanthropic work includes efforts to combat childhood hunger in the United States.

In 2012, Davis and her husband Julius Tennon founded JuVee Productions, a company dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through inclusive and socially relevant storytelling. From film to digital content, JuVee Productions has become a beacon for groundbreaking narratives with global appeal.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, where she received an Honorary Doctorate, Davis also holds an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Rhode Island College.

Davis will receive her award during a gala dinner on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, as part of a special evening that will also celebrate the Carol Burnett Award honoree for achievements in television. Both awards will be recognized during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes® broadcast, airing Sunday, January 5, 2025, on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.

The Golden Globes nominations will be unveiled on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Established in 1952, the Cecil B. DeMille Award honors the legacy of the legendary filmmaker and has been awarded to 69 of Hollywood’s greatest talents. Recipients are chosen for their extraordinary contributions to the entertainment industry, cementing their place in cinematic history.

Known as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” the Golden Globes celebrate excellence in film and television. With a history spanning nearly eight decades, the awards have become a global phenomenon, viewed in over 185 countries. Over the past 30 years, the Golden Globes have donated more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities, including programs that promote access and diversity in Hollywood.

For more information, visit GoldenGlobes.com.