Not only that, there wasMary SteenburgenandMeryl Streep, too.
AndCarol Burnettand Jane Fonda!
Streep spoke of her first meeting with Davis.
(L-R) Mary Steenburgen, Carol Burnett, Ted Danson, Viola Davis and Meryl Streep on Friday nightMichael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images
Yeah, we all met Viola Davis that day, Streep cried.
… Viola takes us to church.
We are in awe of you my beautiful friend, and we are grateful.
(L-R) Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Viola Davis and Meryl Streep in the Wilshire Garden at the Beverly HiltonBaz Bamigboye/Deadline
Davis returned the compliment, Thank you Meryl, youre such a great broad.
Then something extraordinary happened.
Right before our eyes, Davis transformed.
This is my testimony …
I think I decided to be an actor because acting was part of a much higher journey.
I was born into a life that just did not make sense.
I was born into abject poverty.
I was a bedwetter and went to school with the same clothes soaked with urine.
I just wanted to be somebody.
What she had, she recounted, was magic.
I was curious, and you know what my magic was?
I could go to a place where I could belly laugh, where I could have fun.
And the biggest magic was, I could see people.
I would go, who are you?'
The production was short-lived, but Davis won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Play.
I made darn sure that I saw everything she did thereafter.
My only sadness is that UK audiences have not had the opportunity to witness her on stage.
The Kens didnt interest her.
She dreamt instead of Tom, who became, she said during an hilarious presentation, Ted Ted Danson.
He also praised the writers and cast members ofCheers.
I wouldnt be standing here if it wasnt forCheers, he said.
It was right and proper that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos be in the room to help celebrate Danson.
Sarandos observed that comedy is the hardest to get right and that Danson has discovered the right combination.
For me, two of the attendees absolutely personified class.
