The Golden Globes have announced that actress, producer, and three-time Golden Globe winner Helen Mirren will be honored with the 2026 Cecil B. DeMille Award, recognizing her remarkable and enduring contribution to the world of entertainment. The award will be presented during the brand-new annual primetime special Golden Eve, airing Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
A Celebrated Career
Helen Mirren is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, with a career spanning more than six decades across film, television, and theater. A three-time Golden Globe winner, she earned critical acclaim for her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006) and Elizabeth I in Elizabeth I (2005). Her ability to embody powerful, complex figures with nuance and authenticity has made her a commanding presence on screen and stage.
An Academy Award, multiple Emmy, BAFTA, SAG, and Tony Awards further attest to her extraordinary versatility and longevity. In 2003, she was appointed Dame of the British Empire in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the arts.
Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne praised Mirren’s artistry, stating: “Helen Mirren is a force of nature, and her career is nothing short of extraordinary. Her performances transcend time and continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences worldwide.”
“Golden Eve”: A Night of Legacy and Celebration
This year, the Golden Globes introduce Golden Eve, a new special dedicated to the recipients of the Cecil B. DeMille and Carol Burnett Awards—two of the organization’s highest honors celebrating exceptional careers in film and television.
Following last year’s successful Golden Gala, which celebrated Viola Davis and Ted Danson, Golden Eve will offer viewers an exclusive look at the honorees’ creative journeys through archival footage, in-depth interviews, and unforgettable Golden Globes moments.
The special will air as part of Golden Week, a weeklong lineup of events and programming across Paramount platforms, leading up to the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by comedian and actress Nikki Glaser, who has been nominated for the Golden Globes, GRAMMYs, and Emmys.
A Legacy of Distinction
First presented in 1952 in honor of pioneering filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, the award has been given to 69 of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history, including Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey.
Its television counterpart, the Carol Burnett Award, was created in 2019 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the medium. The inaugural recipient was the legendary Carol Burnett herself.
A Global Institution
Since 1944, the Golden Globes have stood among Hollywood’s most prestigious awards, celebrating excellence in film, television, and now podcasting. Broadcast in more than 185 countries, the show is known worldwide as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year.”
The Golden Globes are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which also produces the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and So You Think You Can Dance.
A Broader Global Reach
In recent years, the Golden Globes have expanded their membership to include critics and journalists from around the world, reflecting the diversity of global cinema and audiences. This international inclusion has introduced more than a hundred new voters representing multiple continents, creating a more inclusive and representative voting body.
As part of this initiative, I am honored to serve as one of the international voters—currently the only critic residing in Tunisia to take part in the Golden Globes voting process.
Cultural and Philanthropic Commitment
Beyond the glamour of the ceremony, the Golden Globes organization has contributed more than $55 million over the decades to scholarships, film restoration projects, humanitarian causes, and initiatives supporting diversity and access to the entertainment industry for underrepresented communities.
A Well-Deserved Honor
Helen Mirren’s recognition continues a long tradition of celebrating artists whose work has left a lasting mark on the art of storytelling. At 80, she joins the ranks of cinema’s most influential and admired figures, her career an enduring testament to talent, dedication, and artistic integrity.
Neïla Driss
