EGOT Club Welcomes Two New Members as Pasek and Paul Join Entertainment's Elite
This week marked a significant milestone in entertainment history as songwriting partners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul became the twentieth and twenty-first individuals to achieve EGOT status. The duo secured their place in this exclusive club by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for their work on Only Murders in the Building, completing their collection of the four major American entertainment awards.
The Origins of an Acronym: From Miami Vice to Mainstream Recognition
The term EGOT, representing Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, was first coined in 1984 by actor Philip Michael Thomas during his time on Miami Vice. The Ohio-born performer, who played Detective Ricardo Tubbs, declared his ambition to win all four prestigious awards within five years, even having the letters engraved on a gold pendant. Although Thomas never achieved his goal or received nominations for any of the awards, his concept gained renewed popularity through a 2009 episode of 30 Rock, where Tracy Jordan's character discovered Thomas's fictional EGOT medallion.
Trailblazers and Record Holders: The EGOT Hall of Fame
The journey to EGOT status has been accomplished by a remarkably small group of entertainment professionals, each with unique achievements:
- Richard Rodgers became the first EGOT winner in 1962, completing his set with an Emmy after previously winning Oscars, Grammys, and multiple Tonys.
- Helen Hayes made history as the first woman to achieve EGOT status, with her awards spanning an impressive 45 years from her first Oscar in 1932 to her Grammy in 1977.
- Rita Moreno accomplished her EGOT within fifteen years, beginning with her Oscar for West Side Story in 1962 and completing the set with an Emmy in 1977.
- John Gielgud became the first non-American EGOT winner in 1991 at age 87, with his awards representing a distinguished career across theatre, film, and television.
- Audrey Hepburn achieved EGOT status posthumously, with her Emmy and Grammy wins coming after her death in 1993.
- Marvin Hamlisch won three Oscars in a single year (1973) on his path to EGOT completion in 1995.
- Jonathan Tunick took twenty years to complete his EGOT, from his first Oscar in 1977 to his Tony win in 1997.
- Mel Brooks spread his EGOT achievements across thirty-four years, from his first Emmy in 1967 to his triple Tony win in 2001.
- Mike Nichols demonstrated remarkable versatility, winning awards as both a performer and director across four decades.
- Whoopi Goldberg became the first Black EGOT winner and famously declared that Daytime Emmys "still count" toward the achievement.
- Scott Rudin has collected an astonishing eighteen Tony awards alongside his other EGOT components.
- Robert Lopez holds the unique distinction of achieving a Double EGOT, winning each award at least twice, and remains the youngest EGOT winner at age 39.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice frequently collaborated on award-winning projects, completing their EGOTs simultaneously in 2018.
- John Legend joined the club in 2018 alongside Lloyd Webber and Rice through their work on Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
- Alan Menken has won eight Oscars, primarily for his Disney compositions, completing his EGOT in 2020.
- Jennifer Hudson transitioned from American Idol contestant to EGOT winner, completing her set in 2022.
- Viola Davis emotionally declared "I just EGOT!" when completing her collection in 2023 with a Grammy for her audiobook.
- Elton John entered the EGOT club this year, adding an Emmy to his already impressive collection of five Grammys, two Oscars, and a Tony.
The Newest Members: Pasek and Paul's Remarkable Journey
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who began collaborating as freshmen at the University of Michigan, achieved their EGOT status through a combination of film and stage success. Their journey began with an Oscar win in 2017 for "City of Stars" from La La Land, followed by Tony awards later that year for Dear Evan Hansen. A Grammy for the Dear Evan Hansen cast album in 2018 preceded their Emmy win this week for "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" from Only Murders in the Building.
The songwriting duo typically follows a division of labor with Pasek focusing on lyrics and Paul on music, though they share all credits. Their rapid ascent in the entertainment industry and relatively quick EGOT completion—achieved within six years of their first major award—demonstrates their significant impact on contemporary musical theatre and film composition.
The Rarity of Achievement: What EGOT Status Represents
With only twenty-one individuals having achieved EGOT status since the concept's popularization, this accomplishment represents the pinnacle of recognition across television, music, film, and theatre. The varied paths taken by winners—from actors and composers to producers and directors—highlight the diverse talents required to excel in multiple entertainment mediums. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the EGOT remains one of its most exclusive and prestigious achievements, symbolizing exceptional accomplishment across the full spectrum of performing arts.
