Rhode Island’s Own Viola Davis Takes Home Hollywood Honor

Before the stars walked the red carpet for the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday night, they gathered to celebrate two of Hollywood's favorites: Viola Davis and Ted Danson.

The Beverly Hilton played host the Golden Globe Awards' Inaugural Golden Gala Saturday evening as Danson and Davis accepted this year's honors.

Danson, the recipient of the Carol Burnett Award presented annually to an honoree who "has made outstanding contributions to television on or off the screen."

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He thanked his wife of nearly 30 years, Mary Steenburgen, and delivered part of his acceptance speech directly to Burnett herself saying in part "I am so thrilled to get this award, Carol. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. You have brought so much joy and happiness into households all over the world. You radiate kindness. I love you so much.”

This year's awards held special significance. For the first time, a separate night of celebration was held to present the honors for both the Carol Burnett Award and Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Typically, the winners are presented within the Golden Globes broadcast. Notable A-listers in attendance included Carol Burnett, Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep, who presented Davis with her honor.

Her remarks were touching and heartfelt.

"We are in awe of you my beautiful friend, and we are grateful" Streep said.

The two met while filming the 2008 thriller Doubt, which earned Davis her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Davis, who grew up in Central Falls, Rhode Island, has become a juggernaut in film and television. The Cecil B. DeMille award is given annually for "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment" making Davis a perfect choice.

Her resume includes The Help, Fences, Suicide Squad, First Lady, and a personal favorite of mine, How to Get Away With Murder, among dozens of others.

But lead roles seemed like a longshot in the beginning of her career.

"When I started off my career, I took a lot of jobs because of the money, because sometimes for a dark-skinned Black woman with a wide nose and big lips, that’s all there is out there,” Davis said in her acceptance speech.

“If I waited for a role that was written for me, well-crafted, I wouldn’t be standing up here," she said.

Taking any job that would pay and working her way through the ranks, Davis' persistence (and talent) paid off. From the Ocean State to Hollywood great, this acting maven continues to capture the lens and the hearts of many.