Viola Davis is adding another prestigious honor to her already legendary career. The EGOT winner will receive the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence at the San Diego International Film Festival’s Night of the Stars Tribute on October 13 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. Cecilia Peck, Gregory Peck’s daughter, is scheduled to present the award, making it a true full-circle Hollywood moment.
The honor comes during an incredibly active year for Davis. She recently released her debut novel“Judge Stone,”a courtroom thriller co-written with James Patterson, and her foundation invested $1.2 million in a Rhode Island community center. Earlier this year, she also received the Chairman’s Award at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards. Festival CEO Tonya Mantooth praised Davis as“one of the most extraordinary artists of our time,”noting that her work beyond the screen has created opportunities for others.
This year’s festival marks its 25th anniversary and runs from October 13 through October 18, with the Night of the Stars Tribute serving as one of its signature events. The Gregory Peck Award has previously honored some of Hollywood’s biggest names, and Davis joining that list feels inevitable given her range across film, television, and now publishing.
What’s your all-time favorite Viola Davis performance? Let us know in the comments!
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Local Lawton
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