Sir Elton John is one of the most beloved entertainers alive, and he’s received much acclaim and accolades across his six decades in the music industry.
Last night, the “Tiny Dancer” singer added another prize to his trophy shelf: a Primetime Emmy Award. And in doing so, he achieved one of the industry’s rarest honors…
Elton took home the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium. That concert, his last North American show in his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, was live streamed on Disney+ in 2022.
The legendary rocker beat out live telecasts including the Oscars, the Tony Awards and the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show as well as Chris Rock’s live Netflix special Selective Outrage, to take home his first Primetime Emmy Award — and also earning him “EGOT” status.
“EGOT” refers to people who have won all four major entertainment awards — an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. It’s a rare achievement necessitating the highest success in film, television, music and theater, and only 19 people have accomplished it.
Elton John had already long locked up 3/4 of the required awards. He has won five Grammys, taking home his first in 1987 for “That’s What Friends Are For.” He also won two Academy Awards for Best Original Song — “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King and “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the biopic Rocketman — and won a Tony for composing the music to the Broadway musical Aida.
John did not attend last night’s Emmy Awards ceremony as he was recovering from a knee operation, according to The Hollywood Reporter, but producer Ben Winston accepted the award on his behalf and noted the milestone.
“We did know this was going to be historic because it was going to win a man who has created the soundtrack to all of our lives. He’s done so much great for society, who is all of our heroes,” he said in the acceptance speech. “We didn’t know that it was going to win him an EGOT.”
“I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight,” Elton John later said in a statement. “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.”
The list of EGOT winners includes entertainment icons like Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Nichols and Mel Brooks. Several composers and songwriters have achieved EGOT, including Richard Rodgers, Marvin Hamlisch, Robert Lopez, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, as well as the musician John Legend.
Actress Viola Davis achieved EGOT last year after winning a Grammy Award for her audiobook Finding Me. Jennifer Hudson made it in the previous year after producing the Tony-winning musical A Strange Loop.
Congratulations to Sir Elton John on achieving rare “EGOT” status! It’s a reminder of how hard working Elton John has been throughout his career and how much great music he has written for different mediums and projects.
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