Elton John joins elite EGOT club with Emmy win. What it means and its 18 other members

Sir Elton John has achieved EGOT status

The famed British singer-pianist secured an Emmy Award on Monday night for best variety special (live) for “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” a three-hour concert documentary that streamed on Disney +.

With this, the 76-year-old has joined an ultra-exclusive club of artists who have won all four of the major American art awards – that is, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.

What is the EGOT club?

EGOT is an acronym for the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. It was coined by actor Philip Michael Thomas in 1984 and further popularised by a 2009 episode of Tina Fey’s longrunning sitcom 30 Rock.

EGOT members

There are only 19 people who have ever achieved EGOT status. There are also six additional artists who have received all four awards, but one of the awards was bestowed for an honorary distinction or in a non-competitive category.

Here is a look at the 19 members of the exclusive EGOT club:

Richard Rodgers: Composer and producer Richard Rodgers achieved EGOT status in 1962 – sixteen years after he won an Oscar for his son "It Might as Well Be Spring".

Helen Hayes: The actress took 45 years to win all four awards, longer than any other artist on the list. She became an EGOT member in 1977 by winning a Grammy at the age of 76.

Rita Moreno: Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer Rita Moreno is remembered as the first Latina EGOT winner.

John Gielgud: Actor John Gielgud became a member of the EGOT club in 1991 with an Emmy for his performance in “Summer’s Lease.”

Audrey Hepburn: The iconic actress is another member of the exclusive club – she became an EGOT at the age of 40 by winning a Grammy for Audrey Hepburn's Enchanted Tales (1994).

Marvin Hamlisch: American composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch received his fourth distinct award in 1995.

Jonathan Tunick: American orchestrator, musical director, and composer Jonathan Tunick was 59 when he achieved EGOT status.

Mel Brooks: Actor, comedian, and filmmaker Mel Brooks won his fourth distinct award in 2001.

Mike Nichols: As did director and comedian Mike Nichols – he won an Emmy in 2001.

Whoopi Goldberg: Comedian, actress, host, producer, author and EGOT member Whoopi Goldberg is the first African American winner. She achieved EGOT status in 2002.

Scott Rudin: Producer Scott Rudin joined the EGOT club in 2012 when he won a Grammy Award as his fourth distinct award.

Robert Lopez: Composer Robert Lopez took only a decade to win all four awards – the shortest time span as compared to any other EGOT member.

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber joined the EGOT club in 2018. He was 70 at the time and won an Emmy.

Tim Rice: English lyricist and librettist Tim Rice received his fourth distinct award in 2018.

John Legend: Singer, composer and producer John Legend also became an EGOT in 2018, when he won an Emmy in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category for “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.”

Alan Menken: Composer and producer Alan Menken achieved EGOT status in 2020.

Jennifer Hudson: Actress, singer and talk show host Jennifer Hudson became a member of the club in 2022 by winning a Tony Award for the musical A Strange Loop.

Viola Davis: Actress and producer Viola Davis achieved EGOT status in 2023 when she won a Grammy.

Elton John: English singer, composer, pianist, and producer Sir Elton John is the latest member of the club. He won an Emmy today.