Elton John joined the elite group of EGOT winners after securing the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the 75th annual Emmy Awards on January 15, 2024, for his 2022 Disney+ special Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium. The short list of EGOT career winners is now just 19 individuals who have earned a competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. Six others have achieved the status with at least one honorary or special award.
The musician’s press announcement omitted the rest of the exclusive list. Here it is in its entirety: composer Richard Rodgers, actress Helen Hayes, actress-singer Rita Moreno, actor John Gielgud, actress Audrey Hepburn, composer Marvin Hamlisch, orchestrator-composer Jonathan Tunick, director-actor Mel Brooks, director Mike Nichols, actress Whoopi Goldberg, producer Scott Rudin, songwriter Robert Lopez, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer Tim Rice, singer-songwriter John Legend, composer Alan Menken, singer Jennifer Hudson, and actress Viola Davis.
These six artists have earned an EGOT with at least one awarded as an honorary or special award: actress-singer Barbra Streisand, actress-singer Liza Minnelli, actor James Earl Jones, singer-actor Harry Belafonte, producer Quincy Jones, and producer-director Frank Marshall.
Elton John said, “I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight. The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world. Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful.”
On his Facebook page, John added: “I am on cloud nine!! Receiving this recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone involved, and I am so deeply grateful.
“Whilst I am gutted that I couldn’t be there to accept this award in person—I recently underwent a knee operation, a gentle reminder, perhaps, of a lifetime spent jumping off pianos—my heartfelt thanks go out to the Academy and all those who took the time to vote. This award reflects the collective effort and creativity of an amazing team.”
From the press announcement: The three-hour, historic, live-streamed concert event from Disney Branded Television and produced by Fulwell 73 and Rocket Entertainment gave Disney+ audiences a front-row seat to his electrifying and legendary performance as he bid farewell to North America.
Related: Elton John’s farewell tour ended five years after it began
John previously won two Academy Awards for Best Original Song for Rocketman’s “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” and The Lion King’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Aida and six GRAMMY Awards in his career.
