Viola Davis “never imagined” she would become a world-famous actress. Her journey from humble beginnings to Hollywood royalty spans over three decades in the entertainment industry.
The 59-year-old star was chosen to receive the Cecil B. deMille Award in recognition of her life achievements as part of the Golden Globe awards ceremony and admitted that she teared up when she first heard about the accolade. The prestigious award has been presented since 1952 to outstanding individuals who have made lasting contributions to the world of entertainment.
“I have to say that this is the first award that I was told that I had won that made me cry. Little Viola showed up, who just never could imagine that she could evolve into this life or this career so I just feel incredibly grateful today which is a rare emotion for me,” she told USA Today. Davis grew up in poverty in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she discovered her passion for acting at a young age.
The ‘First Lady’ actress also admitted that she always knew she had the tenacity to “survive” tough things in life and that to this day that sort of attitude would serve her as a mantra. Throughout her career, Davis has been known for taking on challenging roles that push boundaries and address important social issues.
She added: “I always was gonna survive. So if I were gonna say any mantra [it would be] ‘I’m gonna survive this’, whatever obstacle is in front of me, I’m gonna survive.” Her determination has led to numerous groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry.
In 2023, Viola claimed EGOT status as one of 18 people to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony throughout their careers but admitted at the time that in the early days she had to learn to “embrace” her true self in pursuit of success. She won her Emmy for “How to Get Away with Murder” (2015), Grammy for the audiobook of her memoir “Finding Me” (2023), Oscar for “Fences” (2017), and Tony Awards for “King Hedley II” (2001) and “Fences” (2010).
“You always feel like you’re hustling for your worth, as a woman, and as a black woman. After a while when you get beaten down so many times, there is something that happens that you have a God divine moment [of] seeing yourself and who you actually want to be. And you make a choice: You want to live, you want hope, you want to be that sort of ideal self, or are you going to embrace the person that you don’t want to be? And I chose to embrace the hopeful Viola, the Viola that was a survivor. It just happened, but it came through a lot of bruises,” she told People. Her candid reflections on personal growth and self-acceptance have inspired millions worldwide.
Davis’s impact extends beyond her performances, as she has become a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. She has consistently used her platform to address industry inequalities and promote opportunities for underrepresented voices in entertainment.
Her remarkable career includes over 60 film and television credits, with memorable performances in productions such as “Doubt,” “The Help,” “Widows,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Each role has demonstrated her exceptional range and commitment to authentic storytelling.
As she continues to break barriers and inspire new generations of actors, Davis remains grounded in her values and commitment to excellence. Her journey from performing in small theater productions to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.
The Cecil B. deMille Award adds to her impressive collection of accolades, which includes two Screen Actors Guild Awards, five NAACP Image Awards, and numerous other honors recognizing her contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.
