Veteran musician Elton John has become the latest member of the EGOT club with his victory in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Tuesday for his Disney+ show Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.
Having EGOT status refers to a designation given to performers who have bagged all four of the major American entertainment awards — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards — in their career.
The win makes John the 19th performer ever to join the exclusive EGOT club and the second-oldest to do so. At the age of 76 years and nine months, the British singer-songwriter follows in the footsteps of John Gielgud, who completed the EGOT sweep at 87 years and four months in 1991. Helen Hayes, who achieved EGOT status in 1977 at the age of 76 years and four months, remains a bit younger than Elton.
The journey to EGOT began for John in February 1987 when he clinched his first Grammy for his contribution to Dionne & Friends’ That’s What Friends Are For, winning the award for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. Since then, he has added four more Grammys to his impressive collection.
The music legend’s first Oscar came in March 1995 for Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King, co-written with Tim Rice. In February 2020, he secured another Oscar in the same category for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again from Rocketman, a collaboration with his longtime partner Bernie Taupin.
The Tony Award for best original score followed in June 2000 for Aida, a joint effort with Rice. This achievement solidified the musician’s place in the EGOT pantheon.
The Primetime Emmy win for Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium came in a highly competitive category, facing tough contenders such as The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna (Fox), Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix), The Oscars (ABC) and the 75th Annual Tony Awards (CBS).
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by former blackish star Anthony Anderson, were presented at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles after a four-month delay due to strikes by Hollywood writers and actors.
