The atmosphere in the room was electric with emotion, deep gratitude, and heartfelt appreciation during the Golden Globe Awards’ inaugural Golden Gala, as it celebrated the remarkable careers of two iconic stars, Ted Danson and Viola Davis. This prestigious event highlighted not only their contributions to the entertainment industry but also their impact on culture and society, making it a memorable night for all attendees.

As he accepted the prestigious Carol Burnett Award for his significant contributions to television, Danson took the audience on a nostalgic journey through his remarkable career. He reflected on how his acting career began with the beloved character of Sam Malone on the iconic NBC sitcom “Cheers,” which captivated audiences for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. The original creators and executive producers of that groundbreaking series, Glen Charles and Les Charles, were present in the audience, underscoring the importance of this moment for Danson.

In a heartfelt acknowledgment, Danson expressed his immense gratitude to the Charles brothers for their pivotal role in shaping his career. “Everything I have in life *acting-wise* comes from you all,” Danson said, his voice full of sincerity. He emphasized the profound impact their collaboration had on his journey, demonstrating his appreciation for the opportunities they provided him throughout his illustrious career.

The award presentation was made even more special as it was delivered by his wife of over 30 years, the talented actress Mary Steenburgen, who shared the stage with many family members. Steenburgen vividly reminisced about how she fell in love with Danson after seeing him in commercials in the early 1980s. When “Cheers” debuted in 1982, her admiration only deepened. She humorously recalled her initial impressions of Danson, anticipating he would be a typical Hollywood type, only to discover how wonderfully wrong she was.

“How mistaken I was,” Steenburgen shared with a playful tone. “Slick guys don’t say ‘gosh-a-rooney’ after making love,” she added, then humorously turned to her granddaughters, saying, “I’d like to apologize to my granddaughters now.” Her lighthearted remarks showcased not only her affection for Danson but also the couple’s genuine connection, revealing the warmth and humor that define their partnership.

Steenburgen further highlighted Danson’s unwavering commitment to environmental causes, specifically praising his involvement with the nonprofit organization Oceana, which strives to combat ocean pollution and destruction worldwide. She emphasized that “slick guys don’t spend 35 years fighting to keep the oceans of the world safe,” showcasing Danson’s dedication not just to his craft, but to important global issues as well. “He has always understood that it’s a precious honor to take people on a journey through television,” she remarked, encapsulating the essence of Danson’s career.

The evening included a captivating retrospective featuring clips from Danson’s extensive television history, showcasing his versatility across various genres. From CBS’s “Becker” and HBO’s “Bored to Death” to his collaborative work with Larry David on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm“, and dramatic roles in FX’s “Damages“, to his popular role in NBC’s “The Good Place“, and his latest project on Netflix titled “A Man on the Inside“, the audience was treated to a celebration of Danson’s remarkable range and enduring impact on television.

During his heartfelt speech, Danson expressed gratitude for the many writers, crew members, and artisans he has collaborated with throughout his career, from showrunners to hair and makeup professionals. He concluded his acceptance speech with a poignant quote from the final episode of “Cheers,” stating, “I really am the luckiest son of a bitch on earth,” a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience and reflected his humility and appreciation for his journey.

Meanwhile, Viola Davis captivated the audience as she received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award. The legendary actress Meryl Streep, a previous recipient of this honor, presented the award, delivering a heartfelt speech about her initial experience working with Davis during the first table read of the powerful 2008 drama “Doubt.” This project marked Davis’s first of four Oscar nominations, with her winning the coveted award for her role in the 2016 film “Fences.”

Overwhelmed by the moment, Davis took the stage with tears streaming down her face, conveying the genuine emotion of the occasion. “I feel like someone just set me on fire,” Davis humorously remarked, expressing her awe and appreciation for the recognition. She playfully reminded Streep of a memorable moment from their early rehearsals, saying, “You’re just a great broad. You forgot that I followed you into the bathroom that first day of rehearsal. I just wanted to smell you.”

In true Davis fashion, she captivated the audience with a powerful and raw speech that was both deeply personal and introspective. As she spoke, her body trembled with emotion while describing the “magic” that acting has brought into her life. Her ability to resonate with the audience through her authenticity left a lasting impression on everyone present.

“I was born into a life that simply didn’t make sense,” Davis passionately explained, sharing her journey and struggles with the crowd. Her words painted a vivid picture of her early experiences, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling and the art of performance.

Here are Davis’ remarks in full:

“This is my testimony. I believe I chose to be an actor because acting was just a cosmic cart for a much bigger journey. It was about discovering myself, finding a sense of belonging, and recognizing my worth in a world that often overlooked me.”

“I saw life as a big fucking fat dude. A Gordo with a huge stomach, devouring a greasy, moist turkey leg. When he would stand up to go to the bathroom, huge gold nuggets would fall out of his pockets and rain down on people. Some individuals received the blessings of those dripping gold nuggets because they worked hard for them. That’s how I perceived life,” Davis shared, using vivid imagery to illustrate her perspective.

“Born into a life that simply didn’t align with my dreams, I felt like an outsider. I grew up in abject poverty, plagued by mischief and imagination but surrounded by overwhelming challenges. My childhood home was a battleground of alcoholism and rage, infested with rats, and I dealt with the humiliation of toilets that never worked,” she recounted, painting a stark picture of her upbringing.

“I was a bed-wetter who went to school in clothes soaked with urine. My existence felt nonsensical. All I ever heard was that I wasn’t pretty. By the way, what does ‘pretty’ even mean? I just wanted to be someone. I yearned for those little gold nuggets of hope,” she continued, revealing her struggles with self-image and identity.

“What I possessed was magic. I was curious. I could teleport — I could mentally escape this worthless world and relieve myself from it at times,” Davis reflected. Her passion for acting served as an outlet for her imagination and creativity, allowing her to explore different lives and experiences.

“I could visit a place filled with laughter and joy. The greatest magic was my ability to see people. I’d notice a woman on the corner, shivering in the cold with dirty hair and terrible acne. She smoked a cigarette with bloodshot eyes, wearing corduroy coats with fake fur lining. She’d don those pants from the Rainbow Store, costing $9.99, that never zipped up correctly,” she described, illustrating her empathetic nature and connection to humanity.

“I would watch her standing there in filthy shoes. Cars would pull up, and she’d lean in, exchange a few words, and get in. No one cared about people like her. She was my Mona Lisa. She sparked my curiosity. I’d enter her world, exploring her story, asking, ‘Who are you? What were you like as a little girl? You were so cute. You dreamed big. You thought life would unfold beautifully for you,’” Davis shared, showcasing her deep understanding of the human experience.

“There’s always resistance to that one memory, that one thing you live for. I could always reach that place. It was pure magic,” she said. Her exploration of character and narrative allowed her to connect with people from all walks of life, enriching her artistic journey.

“The seeker is the mystery. The seeker must know. I was curious. That’s all you need in life — curiosity. And that was acting for me,” Davis articulated, emphasizing the importance of inquiry and exploration in her craft.

“That’s how I began my journey. I had enough curiosity to realize that not only could I perform magic and embody these characters, but I also understood what they could give me. What could I uncover in all these lives that would rain down those gold nuggets from Gordo and help my life make sense?” Davis reflected on her motivations, revealing her desire to connect with others through storytelling.

“So, I embarked on this acting journey. Let me tell you something — it’s a contradiction, but when I started my career, I took a lot of jobs for the money,” she admitted, revealing the harsh realities faced by many actors in the industry.

“Sometimes, as a dark-skinned Black woman with prominent features, the roles available were limited. If I waited for a well-crafted role tailored to me, I might still be waiting,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of representation in Hollywood.

“I don’t believe that poverty is truly the answer to your craft. There’s no nobility in poverty. I’ve witnessed too many rat-infested apartments and too many family members dying from lack of healthcare. I accepted every opportunity that came my way. Sometimes those gold nuggets would rain down on me,” she stated, reflecting on her career trajectory and growth.

“I landed roles like Mrs. Miller and Annalise Keating, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m cooking! I’m going to be the next Meryl Streep!’” she exclaimed, filled with enthusiasm. However, the reality often contrasted with her expectations.

“More often than not, I ended up with characters who were lifeless. Like the woman on the street corner with the cigarette and the bad skin. The characters that are dead, that nobody cares about, that no one loves — those were the roles that came to me,” Davis shared, emphasizing her connection with those marginalized characters.

“I believe they came to me because they knew I would love them. I recognized the beauty in them, where once again, I could explore that fundamental question: why the hell am I here?” she poignantly stated, illustrating her desire to find meaning in every character she portrayed.

“There’s no one in this room who hasn’t wrestled with that question — why am I here? Each of those characters provided me with some level of an answer,” Davis said, highlighting the universal quest for purpose that connects us all.

“I would do everything I could to bring them back together. I was a defibrillator,” she declared, expressing her passion for reviving neglected narratives through her performances.

“Memories of my father’s deathbed, of falling in love, of my childhood experiences — I could fill in the blanks and make them whole,” Davis articulated, revealing the cathartic nature of storytelling and performance for her.

“Somewhere along this journey — just like Joseph Campbell describes — when you embark on a hero’s journey, the final stage always feels like you’re on the brink of losing your life. You venture into the innermost cave. You don’t see God; you don’t see demons; you just see yourself,” she shared, emphasizing the introspective nature of her artistic journey.

“And I found the elixir. That’s what acting gave me. The elixir was the realization that my life is orchestrated by me. That little girl, Viola, was enough. The mystery is not in understanding Gordo with the dripping turkey leg who randomly hands out blessings,” she explained, highlighting the empowerment she found through her art.

“What you have to figure out is you. Your story. You, as you are — you’re worthy. I had my ruby slippers,” Davis concluded, encapsulating the transformative power of self-acceptance and personal growth. “They say the only two people you owe something to are your 6-year-old self and your 80-year-old self. Sometimes I need to lean on six-year-old Viola for perspective — otherwise, it’s too big for me to fathom. Going from bed-wetting, poverty, and despair to this? And little Viola is squealing,” she expressed with joy.

“She can’t believe she married the most handsome man in the world. She can’t believe she has a daughter who has opened her heart wide. She can’t believe that even though she smelled, was mischievous, or rough around the edges — she has friends who see all of that and still love her. And here’s the thing — they think she’s beautiful,” Davis concluded, celebrating her journey of self-love and acceptance.

“So little Viola is squealing. She’s standing behind me now, pulling on my dress. She’s wearing the same red rubber boots she wore rain or shine because they made her feel pretty,” Davis reminisced, illustrating the innocence and joy of her childhood.

“She’s squealing. She’s saying one thing. She says, ‘Make them hear this.’ What she’s whispering is: I told you I was a magician,” Davis concluded, leaving the audience inspired by her powerful message of resilience and self-discovery.

(Variety parent company PMC owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. in a joint venture with Eldridge.)