Julie Andrews, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Viola Davis, and Al Pacino Are All Members of the Talented ‘Almost-EGOT’ Club
Awards are a huge deal for all of us. There’s no better feeling than receiving recognition for your work, and celebrities are aware of this. Receiving accolades is especially important when one is involved in entertainment as it makes them more marketable.
However, there is a special place for people with awards that cut across the board, otherwise known as EGOT. Julie Andrews, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Viola Davis, and Al Pacino are all members of the talented ‘almost-EGOT’ club. So what is an EGOT, and who has received it? Find out.
EGOT, the epitome of entertainment success
Many actors and musicians consider having an EGOT as the pinnacle of their careers. But what is an EGOT? An EGOT is a title bestowed on people who have won the four major awards in entertainment, that is, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award.
The EGOT has been hailed as the most coveted honor ever in the aspect of show business, and for one to be considered a true legend, they have to have achieved a major feat in film, theater, TV, and music. Several entertainers have come close to the achievement but usually get bumped out of the race after nominations.
According to Mental Floss, the EGOT or the Grand Slam of Entertainment was coined by actor Philip Michael Thomas who appeared in Miami Vice. Thomas, at the time, was a huge star, having appeared in one of TV’s biggest hits with Vice and signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Atlantic Records that saw him releasing his first album.
The actor was also making a name for himself in the fashion world, but he had a bigger goal in life, to achieve EGOT status. The letters were even engraved on his gold necklace, and while he swore that they stood for energy, growth, opportunity, and talent, those close to him knew that the 36-year-old was aiming for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Unfortunately, Thomas never got to achieve his dream but gave others something to work harder for.
Actors who are close to achieving an EGOT
Actors who haven’t achieved EGOTs but are on their way to are usually referred to as having achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. Most of these entertainers fall short of a Grammy award with an Academy Award/ Oscar, Emmy, and a Tony under their belt.
As of 2021, only 24 actors have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, with the list including 15 women and nine men. Actor Helen Hayes was the first to achieve that when she won her Emmy in 1953. Actors with the Triple Crown achievement include Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, and Al Pacino.
Jennifer Hudson is close to becoming an EGOT member if she wins a Tony award at the 2022 Tony ceremony following her nomination for producing A Strange Loop on Broadway. Julie Andrews needs a Tony award, Miranda needs an Oscar, and Ellen Burstyn needs a Grammy.
Others who are one award away from joining the prestigious EGOT club include Cher, Kate Winslet, Harry Belafonte, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and Cynthia Erivo.
Actors who have won an EGOT
The following celebrities are recipients of all the four major awards:
- Richard Rodgers was the first person to make the achievement
- Mel Brooks
- Audrey Hepburn
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Helen Hayes
- Rita Moreno
- Mike Nichols
- Scott Rudin
- Tim Rice
- John Legend
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Alan Menken
- James Earl Jones
- John Gielgud
- Marvin Hamlisch
- Robert Lopez
- Jonathan Tunick
