Film director Steven Spielberg has won a Grammy Award, elevating him to EGOT status. But what does winning an EGOT mean? Who else has reached this level of greatness on the entertainment stage and who is so very nearly there, with just one award to go?
BBC Bitesize takes you backstage to find out more.
What does EGOT stand for?
Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards - the ultimate accolades for those involved in the performing arts around the world.
An Emmy rewards outstanding achievements in American television, a Grammy celebrates excellency in the music industry, an Oscar (or Academy Awards of Merit) rewards top performances in the movie industry and a Tony recognises the best of Broadway — which represents the pinnacle of theatre.
The 22nd EGOT winner
Steven Spielberg became the 22nd person to win an EGOT when he was awarded a Grammy for ‘best music film’, for the documentary Music for John Williams, which Spielberg produced.
He previously won three Oscars, two for best director on both Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Schindler’s List (1993), for which he also won best picture. Spielberg won 12 Emmy awards, most famously for his work on Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs, Tiny Toon Adventures and Band of Brothers. His Tony was awarded to him for best musical for A Strange Loop.
This year’s Grammy helped Spielberg win the jackpot in a full-circle moment, as his winning documentary explores the life and career of John Williams, who composed music for Spielberg movies including Indiana Jones, Schindler’s List and E.T.
Here are four others who have reached this highest of showbiz prizes:
Elton John
In 2024 Elton John won his first Emmy award, making him the 19th person to reach EGOT status.
His CV includes two Oscar wins for The Lion King’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight and I’m Gonna Love Me Again from Rocketman. He’s also got five Grammy music awards alongside his Tony award for best original score for musical Aida.
Viola Davis
The 18th person to reach the heights of EGOT was Viola Davis in 2023 when she picked up a Grammy for the audiobook recording of her memoir, Finding Me. She is the third black female EGOT winner, after Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Hudson.
She won the best supporting actress Oscar for her performance as the wife of a baseball player in Fences (2016), she won a best lead actress Tony for the same role on Broadway. And her Emmy win was for her role in the television show How to Get Away with Murder.
John Legend
The Emmy’s ceremony in 2018 crowned three EGOTs in one go! As the TV production of Jesus Christ Superstar scooped up the awards, it led to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and John Legend all reaching EGOT level.
Legend also became the first black male EGOT winner and joint youngest at age 39 (a title shared with songwriter Robert Lopez). His Oscar came for best song, Glory from the soundtrack of Selma (2014). He also has won 13 Grammy’s and a Tony Award.
Audrey Hepburn
Hepburn reached EGOT status posthumously, a year after her death in 1993, by winning the Grammy for best spoken word album for children with her narration of Mary Sheldon’s Enchanted Tales.
During her lifetime, she won an Oscar for best actress for the movie Roman Holiday (1953), an Emmy for the documentary Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn and a Tony for her role in the play Ondine.
Who is just one award off an EGOT?
Cynthia Erivo - needs an Oscar. She was nominated twice for best actress for her role in Harriet (2020) and in Wicked (2025) and once for best original song for Harriet’s Stand up (2020). But is not nominated in 2026.
Lin-Manuel Miranda - needs an Oscar. He has been nominated twice before for best song with How Far I’ll Go in Moana (2017) and Dos Oruguitas in Encanto (2022).
Hugh Jackman - needs an Oscar. He was nominated for best actor for his role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (2013).
Julie Andrews - needs a Tony. She was nominated, as best actress in a musical in 1996 for her role in Victor/Victoria, but refused the nomination in solidarity with her cast and crewmates who she thought had been overlooked.
Here’s the complete set - all 22 people with full EGOT status:
- Richard Rodgers - composer
- Helen Hayes - actress
- Rita Moreno - actress
- John Gielgud - actor
- Audrey Hepburn - actress
- Marvin Hamlisch - composer
- Jonathan Tunick - composer
- Mel Brooks - comedian and filmmaker
- Mike Nichols - director, producer, comedian and actor
- Whoopi Goldberg - actress and comedian
- Scott Rudin - producer
- Robert Lopez - songwriter
- Andrew Lloyd Webber - composer
- Tim Rice - lyricist
- John Legend - singer, songwriter and producer
- Alan Menken - composer
- Jennifer Hudson - singer and actress
- Viola Davis - actress and producer
- Sir Elton John
- Benj Pasek & also…
- Justin Paul - songwriters won a joint award together
- Steven Spielberg - director and producer
This article was published in February 2026
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