Helen Mirren will receive the Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille award

Helen Mirren Named Recipient of Golden Globes’ Prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award

Dame Helen Mirren will receive the 2026 Cecil B. DeMille Award at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, marking a crowning achievement in her illustrious career spanning more than five decades, the organization announced Wednesday.

“Helen Mirren is a force of nature and her career is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes president, in an official statement. “Her transcendent performances and commitment to her craft continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences alike.”

The presentation format will feature a significant change this year. The DeMille Award will be presented during a new annual prime-time special titled “Golden Eve,” which will also honor recipients of the Carol Burnett Award for achievement in television. The special is scheduled to air on January 8 on CBS and stream on Paramount+, separate from the main Golden Globes ceremony on January 11, which comedian Nikki Glaser will host for the second consecutive year.

Mirren, now 80, has built a remarkable legacy across theater, film, and television. Her career-defining performance as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” (2006) earned her an Academy Award, and she has previously won three Golden Globes for her work across both mediums. Her versatility has been a hallmark of her career, embodying characters ranging from royalty to detectives, with recent roles including narration in the “Barbie” film.

Beyond her Oscar triumph, Mirren has accumulated an impressive collection of awards including Emmy, SAG, BAFTA, and Tony honors, making her one of the few performers to achieve the coveted “Triple Crown of Acting” with major awards in film, television, and theater. In 2003, she was named a Dame of the British Empire in recognition of her artistic contributions.

The Cecil B. DeMille Award, established in 1952 and named for the legendary filmmaker, recognizes outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. Mirren joins an elite group of previous honorees including Sidney Poitier, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand, Viola Davis, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, and Jeff Bridges.

Industry analysts note that this recognition comes at a time when Hollywood is increasingly celebrating long, diverse careers rather than simply momentary box office success. Mirren’s career exemplifies this trend, having maintained relevance and artistic excellence across multiple decades and entertainment platforms.

“What makes Mirren so extraordinary is her ability to continually evolve as an artist while maintaining the highest standards of performance,” said film historian Barbara Thompson in a recent interview. “From her early work with the Royal Shakespeare Company to her commanding film presence today, she represents the gold standard of acting craft.”

The award also highlights the continuing transformation of the Golden Globes, which has undergone significant changes following past controversies regarding diversity and ethical practices within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The creation of the separate “Golden Eve” special signals the organization’s efforts to expand its programming footprint while creating more opportunities to celebrate industry luminaries.

Mirren’s most recent projects have demonstrated her continued versatility, with roles in action franchises like “Fast & Furious” alongside critically acclaimed dramatic performances. Her willingness to take on varied challenges has made her a role model for actors of all generations.

The January ceremony will provide an opportunity for the industry to celebrate Mirren’s remarkable journey from her early stage work in London to becoming one of cinema’s most respected figures, with a career that continues to flourish well into her eighth decade.