Hollywood’s awards season began with a flourish this week as the inaugural Golden Eve gala unfolded at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2026. The event, conceived as a lavish prelude to the Golden Globes, brought together a constellation of stars to honor two titans of the screen: Dame Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker. Both women, celebrated for their decades-long contributions to film and television, received the Golden Globes’ most prestigious career honors, and the evening was as much a tribute to their artistry as it was a celebration of Hollywood’s enduring legacy.
According to Deadline, the Golden Eve gala marked a new tradition, offering honorees their own night rather than folding tributes into the main Golden Globes ceremony. This change, as Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne explained, was sparked by the success of last year’s format. "We’re starting a new tradition," she said, thanking guests for being part of the memorable program. The event was taped for airing on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, ensuring fans across the country could join in the festivities.
This year’s honorees were nothing short of iconic. Sarah Jessica Parker, known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s Sex and the City, became the sixth recipient of the Carol Burnett Award. Helen Mirren, whose career spans more than six decades and who has portrayed royalty both on stage and screen, was presented with the 71st Cecil B. DeMille Award. The room was filled with Hollywood royalty, including Carol Burnett herself, and a guest list of 270 gathered for a dinner catered by Giorgio Baldi. The menu? Fish, steak, or vegetarian risotto, with Cosmopolitans flowing in honor of Parker’s most famous character.
The tributes began with Parker, who was introduced by her husband, Matthew Broderick. Colman Domingo and her Sex and the City co-star Kristin Davis joined him in presenting her with the trophy. Ted Danson, last year’s Burnett honoree, also offered words of praise, sharing that his wife Mary Steenburgen calls Burnett "the magic one." Parker’s acceptance speech was laced with warmth and nostalgia. She recalled how her parents met during a production of Once Upon a Mattress, which starred Carol Burnett. "Were it not for Carol Burnett’s brilliant star-making turn as Winnifred, making the show worthy of countless regional and high school productions, my parents would never have met, and 30 years later, I wouldn’t have had the daunting privilege of playing Princess Winifred in Broadway’s first revival, where Carol came as audience and was as expected, gracious, generous and oh so loving," Parker said, according to Deadline.
Parker spoke of her admiration for Burnett, calling her "a North Star" and an inspiration since childhood. She expressed profound gratitude for the honor, saying, "I am profoundly grateful for this honor and the opportunity to convey my deepest admiration and respect for the woman whom this award is so deservedly named." She also thanked her family, colleagues, and everyone involved with Sex and the City, including creators Darren Star and Michael Patrick King. "I humbly thank you for being such an integral part of an inconceivable life. It is a bounty. Thank you," she concluded, her voice thick with emotion.
The celebration then turned to Dame Helen Mirren, who was introduced by her longtime friend and co-star Harrison Ford. The two first worked together on 1986’s The Mosquito Coast and reunited nearly forty years later for the series 1923. Ford, in his signature deadpan style, told the assembled guests, "The word that comes to mind is not Dame — it’s badass." He elaborated, "Helen Mirren can play a badass because she is one. A badass is raw, authentic, formidable, tough and fearless. That pretty much describes Helen the woman, and Helen the artist, an undeniable screen presence who brings to every scene a powerful commitment to narrative and character, and when she goes full badass, it’s awesome to watch."
Mirren’s acceptance speech, as reported by Variety, was a masterclass in wit and humility. She began by recalling her first Golden Globe for the TV film Losing Chase, quipping, "As eccentric as that group was, they noticed a small piece called Losing Chase that was way under the radar, and gave me a beautiful golden ball. Then they followed it with another, and I was the proud owner of two large balls, which, as you can imagine, really helped me in my career." The room erupted in laughter.
Mirren reflected on the significance of the DeMille Award, saying, "The DeMille Award was described to me as a career recognition, but I prefer to think of it as a life lived, a life survived, a life enjoyed, a life sweated, and a life carried on hopefully and given that hope. I prefer to think of this as an ongoing reflection of my career, rather than a eulogy." She joked, "If this were my memorial, looking out at this audience, I’m absolutely thrilled who showed up for me, and I am making a list of the no-shows."
Her speech was peppered with acknowledgments to those who shaped her journey, from costars and directors to crew members. She name-checked inspirations such as Jane Fonda, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Cher, Madonna, and Viola Davis, calling them "shining goddesses that I worship." Mirren also shared some tongue-in-cheek lessons learned on set, including "how to master speaking whilst holding your tummy in. Actually, come to think of it, that advice is no longer needed, is it really now, because you know, Spanx and Ozempic."
The Golden Eve was not just a night of accolades but also a testament to the power of storytelling and camaraderie in Hollywood. As Gold Derby noted, Parker has collected six Golden Globes over her career—four for Best TV Comedy Actress and two as a producer for Sex and the City. Mirren, with three Golden Globes, an Oscar, four Emmys, four BAFTAs, five SAG Awards, and a Tony, stands as one of the most decorated actors of her generation. Both women’s speeches underscored the importance of community, perseverance, and gratitude in an industry often defined by its relentless pace and fierce competition.
The gala concluded with a sense of anticipation for the main Golden Globes ceremony, scheduled to air live on January 11, 2026, on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Executive producing showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, along with Dick Clark Productions, were at the helm, ensuring the event’s global reach. This year’s votes were tabulated by KPMG, underscoring the ceremony’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
As the Golden Eve gala drew to a close, it was clear that the evening had accomplished more than simply bestowing awards. It served as a heartfelt reminder of the legacies built by women like Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker—legacies marked by innovation, resilience, and a dash of irrepressible humor. For those gathered in the Hilton’s transformed garden—and for viewers at home—the night was a celebration of not just past achievements, but the promise of many more stories yet to unfold.