On a star-studded evening at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the Golden Eve ceremony on January 7, 2026, turned into a celebration of two extraordinary women whose careers have shaped television and film for decades. Sarah Jessica Parker, known to millions as Carrie Bradshaw from HBO’s 'Sex and the City,' received the Golden Globes’ Carol Burnett Award for lifetime achievement in television, while Dame Helen Mirren, the revered British actress, was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her legendary contributions to film and television. The ceremony, which aired on CBS on January 9, 2026, was filled with moving tributes, laughter, and heartfelt reflections.
Matthew Broderick, Parker’s husband of nearly 30 years, stepped up to the podium to present her with the Carol Burnett Award. In a moment that was both humorous and sincere, Broderick recalled his initial hesitation when Parker was first offered the script for 'Sex and the City.' "Do you really want to do TV?" he remembered asking, highlighting the uncertainty that once surrounded the leap from film and stage to television in the 1990s. That leap, of course, proved transformative—not just for Parker, but for television itself. According to the Associated Press, Parker would go on to win six Golden Globes and two Emmys for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw, cementing her place in pop culture history.
Accepting the award, Parker’s gratitude was palpable. "It has been a privilege and a dream to call myself an actor," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. The Carol Burnett Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to television on or off screen, has previously been awarded to Ted Danson and its namesake, Carol Burnett. Burnett herself, now 92, welcomed Parker into the fold with a warm, "My darling Sarah, welcome to the club."
The night was as much a celebration of friendship as it was of achievement. Parker’s longtime 'Sex and the City' co-star Kristin Davis took the stage, her voice breaking as she spoke about the enduring bonds formed on set. "‘Sex and the City’ has a lot of great themes, but my favorite theme is honoring the importance of friendship, of life, long chosen family, and that’s what you are to me," Davis said through tears. The ceremony also featured a cosmopolitan toast—Carrie Bradshaw’s signature drink—led by Colman Domingo, adding a playful nod to the show that turned the cocktail into a cultural phenomenon.
Clips from Parker’s expansive career were shown in two montages: one highlighting roles outside of 'Sex and the City,' and another dedicated to her iconic turn as Carrie Bradshaw. Notably absent from the celebration were Kim Cattrall, who has had a long-standing feud with Parker, and Chris Noth, whose character Mr. Big was removed from the 'And Just Like That...' finale in 2021 following allegations of sexual assault, which Noth has denied. Still, the event was a reunion of sorts, with Evan Handler and David Eigenberg—better known to fans as Harry and Steve—among those present to support Parker.
Parker’s journey in entertainment stretches back more than 50 years, beginning with her role as Annie on Broadway as a child. She recounted how her early fascination with television was sparked by watching Carol Burnett’s performances. "Like millions of others, I revered Carol Burnett when I was very young. We didn’t have a television so I would call a friend and I would invite myself over on Saturday nights, so I could watch ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ on CBS," Parker shared. "Carol was a North Star. She was an inspiration. I could not possibly have articulated at age eight or nine, but came to understand my feelings about her as wonderment and idolatry."
Reflecting on her time with 'Sex and the City,' Parker said, "I met Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Samantha Jones, and Miranda Hobbes, and I spent 25 years with the most glorious ensemble of women and actors, where we treated all of New York like CBS Television City and the streets like Studio 33." She thanked Casey Bloys and the team for allowing her a "permanent residency" at HBO, expressing deep affection for the ensemble and the years spent together. "I cherish every 15th hour on the set or 16th hour, every walk and talk, looking into your eyes for the hardest and silliest moments. As Kristen once said, ‘You are in my bones.’"
The evening also paid tribute to Dame Helen Mirren, whose career has spanned theater, film, and television. Harrison Ford, who won the DeMille Award in 2002 and has shared the screen with Mirren in both 'The Mosquito Coast' (1985) and the current series '1923,' presented the honor. Ford praised Mirren as "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, now 80, is an Oscar winner for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in 'The Queen' (2006), has won three Golden Globes, and was nominated for a fourth this year for her role in 'MobLand.' She was named a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.
Mirren’s acceptance speech was a masterclass in gratitude and humility. "The DeMille Award was described to me as a career recognition," she began. "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 honored her heroes and collaborators, naming Monica Vitti, Anna Magnani, Jane Fonda, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, and a host of first-name icons—Madonna, Barbra, Cher, Sarah Jessica, Meryl, Kate with a K and Cate with a C, and, of course, Viola. Mirren’s close friend Viola Davis, who won the DeMille Award in 2025, was among her presenters and recalled the first time she saw Mirren on screen as a "door kicking in moment, the thunderbolt, the sermon on the mount, the burning bush."
The ceremony’s warmth was further amplified by the presence of the honorees’ spouses—Matthew Broderick for Parker and director Taylor Hackford for Mirren—who both offered personal reflections on their partners’ journeys. Broderick, ever the understated presence, greeted Harrison Ford with a nervous "Hi, Harrison," only for Ford to return the favor with "Hi, Matthew," in a moment that drew laughter from the crowd.
The Golden Eve ceremony, a new tradition in the run-up to the Golden Globes, proved that Hollywood still knows how to honor its own with both style and substance. As the lights dimmed and the applause echoed through the Beverly Hilton, it was clear that the legacies of Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Mirren are far from finished—each continuing to inspire, delight, and break new ground in their own ways.