You’ve heard it before. You’ve seen it in the headlines and throughout awards season. “Is this celebrity getting an EGOT?” “This celebrity is one step closer to having an EGOT.” But what does that really mean?
Let’s dive into the story behind the EGOT, how it came about, and why it’s such a big deal. We look at who officially has the EGOT. And which of your favorite actors, performers and entertainers are about to earn the award.
What is an EGOT anyway?
Emmy winners (LR) Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Legend and Tim Rice in 2018 | JC Olivera/WireImage
Let’s get straight to the point. An EGOT is like the ultimate grand slam for anyone in television, film, recording, theater or entertainment. It is an acronym that stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – the four coveted awards of these industries. Only a select few manage to earn them all and are thus crowned as having an EGOT.
Where does the term EGOT come from anyway? You’ll have to look back to a little show called Miami Vice in the mid ’80s for the answer. Philip Michael Thomas, one half of the dynamic Miami crime duo, was also trying to make his mark in the fashion and music worlds. Thomas was so ambitious in all his projects that he wore a gold medallion representing his dream, with the four letters E, G, O and T.
As Mental Floss reports, these letters may have stood for energy, growth, opportunity and talent at the time. But soon EGOT emerged with a new translation representing the four major awards that are best known today.
In recent years, EGOT has appeared on the show 30 Rock. So some believe that’s where the acronym started, as The Atlantic points out in its review of the term’s history. But the origins lie with Philip Michael Thomas with his gold goal medal. And no, Thomas has yet to be nominated for one of the four major prizes.
16 celebrities will have the EGOT award from 2022
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The list of official celebrity EGOT earners is quite short, hovering around 12 if you don’t include the special awards. Most of those who are so distinguished that they have won all four awards are elderly or already dead. Here are all 16:
- Richard Rodgers
- Helen Hayes
- Rita Moreno
- John Gielgud
- Audrey Hepburn
- Marvin Hamlish
- Jonathan tunic
- Mel Brooks
- Mike Nichols
- Whoopie Goldberg
- Scott Rudin
- Robert Lopez
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Tim Rice
- John legend
- Alan Menken
A few legendary names you’ll recognize from the list: Hepburn wasn’t alive to celebrate her EGOT status, with her Emmy for Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn and her Grammy for Audrey Hepburn’s Enchanted Tales after her death. However, she enjoyed her Oscar for Roman Holiday and her Tony for Ondine.
Brooks became the eighth EGOT star in 2001 at the age of 75. He took home three Tony Awards for The Producers that year. His other award-winning works secured the remaining three in the EGOT square: The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special, Mad About You, and The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000. Brooks is quoted as saying, ” I’m an EGOT now,” and he no longer needed accolades.
Some other celebrities in this elite category of EGOT fame include Goldberg, Lopez of Let It Go and Frozen fame, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Weber and John Legend. A more recent awardee, Legend is the first black man to earn an EGOT, and also the youngest ever to do so.
Celebs about to get an EGOT
The list of official EGOT celebrities may be short, but the list of near EGOT earners is substantial. As there are non-competitive or honorary awards, a few qualify for EGOT status including Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, James Earl Jones and Harry Belafonte.
In the Fast EGOT category, you’ll find legends like Jessica Tandy, Robin Williams, and Henry Fonda who were missing an award for the award. Others who still have a chance include Julie Andrews, Cher, Elton John, Martin Scorsese, John Williams, Viola Davis, Randy Newman and Al Pacino. Even South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are just an Oscar away from EGOT status.
Earning an EGOT is quite an incredible achievement and a true testament to a celebrity’s talent. And there will surely be others to join the list, considering the top talent on the Fast EGOT list as well.
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