The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has named acclaimed EGOT winner Viola Davis as the recipient of the 2025 Cecil B. DeMille Award, marking another historic milestone in her illustrious career, per ew.com.
The 59-year-old actress, known for her powerful performances and advocacy for diversity in entertainment, will join an elite group of 69 previous honourees, including industry titans such as Walt Disney, Sidney Poitier and Meryl Streep. In an unprecedented move, the Golden Globes will host a separate ceremony on January 3 to honour Davis, breaking from the traditional format of presenting the award during the main telecast.
Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne praised Davis as “a luminary whose profound talent has continuously shifted the lens through which we see and understand film.” The award recognises not only Davis’s exceptional acting career but also her contributions to the industry through JuVee Productions, a company she founded with husband Julius Tennon to amplify underrepresented voices in Hollywood.
Davis’s relationship with the Golden Globes spans over a decade, including a win for her memorable role in Fences (2016) and six nominations for various television and film performances. Her acclaimed work in productions such as Doubt, The Help and How to Get Away with Murder has consistently demonstrated her versatility as an performer.
The award will be presented during a special gala event, with Davis also being honoured at the main Golden Globes ceremony on January 5, 2025, broadcast live on CBS.
The announcement comes ahead of the December 9 nominations reveal, setting the stage for what promises to be a momentous celebration of one of Hollywood’s most respected artists.
•Featured image: Viola Davis at the Golden Globes/Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
