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How Many Entertainers Have Won the Coveted “EGOT”?
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman
For most people in the entertainment industry, winning an Emmy Award would be the highlight of their careers. For Elton John, it was the final accolade needed to cement one of the rarest achievements in Hollywood: completing the coveted EGOT by winning at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, popularly known as the “grand slam” of show business.
John was lauded with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special his 2022 farewell concert film Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, bringing his career haul of major U.S. entertainment awards to five Grammys, two Oscars (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King and “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman), and a Tony for the Aida score.
Unfortunately, the celebrated musician wasn’t able to attend the ceremony in person as he was recovering from a knee replacement. Farewell from Dodger Stadium producer Ben Winston accepted the Emmy on Elton John’s behalf. “Now, I can’t speak for Elton, but EGOT to be excited about that,” joked comedian Amy Poehler when she presented the award alongside Tina Fey.
The term "EGOT" was coined by actor Philip Michael Thomas in 1984 while he was starring as Ricardo Tubbs on Miami Vice. Though Thomas publicly proclaimed that he planned to win all of the awards in five years (and supposedly had a gold pendant made with the acronym), his ambition was never realized, though he cemented the EGOT concept in pop culture history.
EGOT legends:
- When Thomas came up with the term “EGOT,” only actresses Rita Moreno and Helen Hayes and composer Richard Rodgers had won all four awards (Rodgers was the first in 1962). Including Elton John, a total of 19 entertainers have now won the EGOT, most recently Viola Davis in 2023. Six others also have EGOT status when including not just competitive but also honorary and special awards.
- The EGOT concept was popularized by the sitcom 30 Rock. In a 2009 episode, Tracy Jordan, played by Tracy Morgan, seeks EGOT status and consults with EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg.
- Robert Lopez was the youngest person to complete the EGOT, winning all four awards by age 39. He accomplished this in just 10 years, the fastest of any EGOT winner. Lopez also became the first (and so far, only) double EGOT winner in 2018.
- Other EGOT winners, as of 2024: John Gielgud, Scott Rudin, Mike Nichols, Jonathan Tunick, Audrey Hepburn, Marvin Hamlisch, Mel Brooks, Tim Rice, John Legend, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alan Menken, and Jennifer Hudson.
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman is a teacher and blogger who frequently writes for WiseGEEK about topics related to personal finance, parenting, health, nutrition, and education.
Learn more...
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman is a teacher and blogger who frequently writes for WiseGEEK about topics related to personal finance, parenting, health, nutrition, and education. Learn more...
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![With his first Emmy win this month, Elton John became the 19th person to complete the "EGOT" by winning at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.]()
By: Michael CoghlanWith his first Emmy win this month, Elton John became the 19th person to complete the "EGOT" by winning at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.
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