Actors Who’ve EGOTed or Are One Award Away

Achieving the status of an EGOT winner is considered the pinnacle of success in the American entertainment industry. This elite group consists of individuals who have won a competitive Emmy and Grammy and Oscar and Tony award throughout their careers. While the number of full winners remains small many talented actors are currently only one trophy away from completing the set. This list explores the legendary performers who have already reached this milestone as well as those who are on the verge of making history. These individuals represent the highest level of versatility across the mediums of television and music and film and stage.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis earned her place in history after winning a Grammy for the audiobook of her memoir ‘Finding Me’ in 2023. She previously secured an Academy Award for her role in the film ‘Fences’ and a Tony for the Broadway production of the same name. Her Emmy was awarded for her performance in the television series ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She is currently one of only a few performers to hold all four major awards. Her career continues to span across various mediums including film and stage.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson reached the milestone in 2022 after winning a Tony as a producer for the musical ‘A Strange Loop’. She began her journey toward the status with an Oscar for her debut film role in ‘Dreamgirls’. Her Grammy wins include awards for her self-titled debut album and her work on the musical ‘The Color Purple’. She also earned a Daytime Emmy for the animated short ‘Baba Yaga’. She remains the youngest woman to achieve this career achievement.

Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno was the first Latina to complete the sweep after winning a Grammy for ‘The Electric Company’ album in 1972. She won her Oscar for the classic film ‘West Side Story’ where she played the role of Anita. Her Tony came from her performance in the play ‘The Ritz’ while her Emmys were awarded for appearances on ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘The Rockford Files’. She has maintained a legendary career in Hollywood for over seven decades. She recently appeared in the remake of ‘West Side Story’ directed by Steven Spielberg.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg finished her collection of awards in 2002 after winning a Tony for producing ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’. She earned an Oscar for the film ‘Ghost’ and a Grammy for her self-titled comedy album in 1985. Her Emmy awards were earned for her work on ‘The View’ and ‘Beyond Tara The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel’. She is the first Black person to win all four major entertainment trophies. She continues to be a staple of American daytime television.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn became a posthumous winner in 1994 when she was awarded a Grammy for her children’s album ‘Audrey Hepburn’s Enchanted Tales’. She won her Academy Award for ‘Roman Holiday’ and a Tony for the Broadway play ‘Ondine’. Her Emmy was granted for her work on the documentary series ‘Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn’. She is remembered as a style icon and one of the most talented actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes was the first woman to complete the quartet of awards starting with her Oscar for ‘The Sin of Madelon Claudet’. Her Tony awards were won for her roles in ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Time Remembered’. She received a Grammy for the best spoken word album ‘Great American Documents’ in 1977. Her Emmy came from an appearance on the television anthology series ‘Schlitz Playhouse of Stars’. She was often referred to as the First Lady of American Theatre.

John Gielgud

John Gielgud earned his status in 1991 after winning an Emmy for the miniseries ‘Summer’s Lease’. He received his Oscar for his supporting performance in the comedy ‘Arthur’ and a Grammy for ‘Ages of Man’. His Tony Award was for directing the production of ‘Big Fish Little Fish’. He enjoyed a prolific career that lasted more than eighty years in the industry. He is celebrated for his command of Shakespearean roles on stage.

Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks joined the elite group in 2001 after winning three Tony Awards for the musical ‘The Producers’. He earned an Oscar for the original screenplay of ‘The Producers’ decades earlier in 1968. His Grammy wins were for the comedy album ‘The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000’ and the musical recording of his hit show. He received multiple Emmy Awards for writing ‘The Sid Caesar Show’ and for his guest role on ‘Mad About You’. He is one of the most influential comedic voices in history.

Mike Nichols

Mike Nichols was a prolific director and actor who completed the achievement in 2001 after winning an Emmy for ‘Wit’. He earned his first Grammy in 1961 for the comedy album ‘An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May’. His Academy Award was for directing the classic film ‘The Graduate’. He won several Tony Awards for directing plays like ‘Barefoot in the Park’ and ‘The Odd Couple’. He remains one of the few individuals to win multiple awards in each category.

Elton John

Elton John completed the full set in 2024 by winning an Emmy for his concert special ‘Elton John Live Farewell from Dodger Stadium’. He already held several Grammy Awards for his legendary music career and an Oscar for ‘The Lion King’. His Tony came from his work on the Broadway musical ‘Aida’. While primarily a singer he has acted in films such as ‘Kingsman The Golden Circle’. He is one of the most successful solo artists of all time.

John Legend

John Legend reached the milestone in 2018 after winning an Emmy for producing ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’. He has numerous Grammy Awards for his successful music career. He earned an Oscar for the song ‘Glory’ which he co-wrote for the film ‘Selma’. His Tony Award was for producing the play ‘Jitney’. He has appeared as an actor in ‘La La Land’ and other television projects.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is currently an Oscar win away from completing his set of major awards. He earned his first Tony for ‘In the Heights’ and several Grammys for the soundtracks to his hit musicals. His Emmy came from a variety special and he received massive acclaim for the Broadway phenomenon ‘Hamilton’. He has been nominated for Academy Awards for songs in ‘Moana’ and ‘Encanto’ but has yet to secure the trophy. He also directed the acclaimed film ‘Tick Tick Boom’.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman is one Oscar win away from joining the ranks after winning a Tony for ‘The Boy from Oz’. He earned an Emmy for hosting the ’58th Annual Tony Awards’ and a Grammy for ‘The Greatest Showman’ soundtrack. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his leading role in ‘Les Misérables’. He is well known for his long running role as Wolverine in the ‘X-Men’ film franchise. He continues to balance a career between massive blockbusters and Broadway stages.

Ben Platt

Ben Platt is currently missing an Academy Award to complete the set of prestigious honors. He earned a Tony for his performance in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and a Grammy for the cast recording of the same show. His Emmy came from a musical performance on ‘The Today Show’. He starred in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ film series and the television show ‘The Politician’. He is one of the youngest people to be so close to the achievement.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is an Oscar away from the status having won a Tony for his role in ‘Kinky Boots’. He received a Grammy for the musical cast album of the same production. His Emmy win was for his performance as Pray Tell in the drama series ‘Pose’. He is a celebrated fashion icon and stage veteran with a career spanning decades. He has recently moved into film directing and voice acting for various projects.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo needs an Oscar to complete the quartet after winning a Tony for ‘The Color Purple’. She also earned a Grammy for the musical cast album and a Daytime Emmy for a performance on ‘The Today Show’. She was nominated for two Academy Awards for her work in the film ‘Harriet’. She is set to star as Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’. She is widely recognized for her powerful vocal range and dramatic acting abilities.

Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is currently an Oscar away from completing the sweep of awards. She holds a record breaking six Tony Awards for her performances in plays and musicals like ‘Carousel’ and ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’. She earned two Emmy Awards for her television work including ‘Live from Lincoln Center’. Her Grammy wins were for the recordings of ‘Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny’. She is considered one of the most decorated performers in the history of the American stage.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler has won multiple Emmys and Grammys and Tonys but still lacks a competitive Oscar. She won Tony Awards for her work in ‘Hello Dolly’ and a special award for her contributions to theater. Her Grammy wins include awards for ‘The Divine Miss M’ and the song ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’. She received Emmy Awards for her variety specials and television movies. She has been nominated for Academy Awards for ‘The Rose’ and ‘For the Boys’.

Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke is missing an Oscar to finish the set after a long and celebrated career. He won a Tony for the musical ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ and multiple Emmys for ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’. His Grammy Award was for the soundtrack to the film ‘Mary Poppins’. He has received various honorary awards from the film industry but never a competitive Oscar. He remains an active performer and recently appeared on ‘The Masked Singer’.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is an Oscar away from the milestone having won multiple Emmy Awards for her comedy specials. She earned a Tony for her one woman show ‘The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe’. Her Grammy was awarded for the comedy album ‘This Is a Recording’. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film ‘Nashville’. She is well known for her recent work in the television series ‘Grace and Frankie’.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon needs an Oscar to complete the collection of major awards. She won Tony Awards for her performances in ‘Rabbit Hole’ and ‘The Little Foxes’. Her Emmy wins include her role as Miranda Hobbes in ‘Sex and the City’ and a guest role in ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’. She received a Grammy for the spoken word album ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. She has also ventured into politics by running for Governor of New York.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper is an Oscar away from the status after winning a Tony for composing the musical ‘Kinky Boots’. She earned a Grammy for Best New Artist and another for the musical soundtrack. Her Emmy was awarded for her guest appearance on the sitcom ‘Mad About You’. She has appeared in several films and television shows including ‘Bones’. She is widely known for her unique voice and social activism.

Al Pacino

Al Pacino is a Grammy away from the milestone having won an Oscar for ‘Scent of a Woman’. He has earned two Tony Awards for his stage performances in ‘Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?’ and ‘The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel’. His Emmy Awards were for his work in the miniseries ‘Angels in America’ and ‘You Don’t Know Jack’. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history. He continues to work in major productions such as ‘The Irishman’.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith needs only a Grammy to complete the quartet of awards. She won two Academy Awards for ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ and ‘California Suite’. Her Tony was awarded for the play ‘Lettice and Lovage’. She earned multiple Emmy Awards for her roles in ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘My House in Umbria’. She passed away in 2024 leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in film and theater.

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren is missing a Grammy to join the ranks of winners. She won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the film ‘The Queen’. Her Tony was awarded for the play ‘The Audience’ where she played the same royal figure. She has multiple Emmy Awards for her work in ‘Prime Suspect’ and other television projects. She is the only performer to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand is a Grammy away from the status after winning three Academy Awards for acting in ‘Fargo’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri’ and ‘Nomadland’. She earned a Tony for the play ‘Good People’. Her Emmy was for her performance in the miniseries ‘Olive Kitteridge’. She is known for her collaborations with the Coen brothers and her preference for independent cinema. She also produces many of the films in which she stars.

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange needs a Grammy to finish the set of honors. She won two Oscars for her roles in ‘Tootsie’ and ‘Blue Sky’. Her Tony was earned for the revival of the play ‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’. She has multiple Emmy Awards for her work in ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Grey Gardens’. She is one of the most respected actresses of her generation with a career spanning over forty years.

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons is one Grammy away from the achievement. He won an Oscar for his performance as Claus von Bulow in ‘Reversal of Fortune’. His Tony was awarded for the play ‘The Real Thing’. He has earned multiple Emmy Awards for his voice work and roles in ‘Elizabeth I’. He is known for his distinctive voice and has appeared in films like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’.

Geoffrey Rush

Geoffrey Rush is missing a Grammy to complete the major awards. He won an Oscar for his performance in the film ‘Shine’. His Tony Award was for the play ‘Exit the King’. He received an Emmy for his portrayal of Peter Sellers in ‘The Life and Death of Peter Sellers’. He is a highly acclaimed actor from Australia known for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn is a Grammy win away from the final milestone. She earned an Oscar for her performance in ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’. Her Tony was awarded for the play ‘Same Time Next Year’. She has two Emmy Awards for her work on ‘Law and Order Special Victims Unit’ and ‘Political Animals’. She is celebrated for her intense and emotional performances in films like ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’.

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave needs a Grammy to complete the collection after a long and distinguished career. She won an Oscar for the film ‘Julia’ in 1977. Her Tony was awarded for the play ‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’. She has earned two Emmy Awards for ‘Playing for Time’ and ‘If These Walls Could Talk 2’. She is often cited as one of the greatest actresses of the modern era.

Glenda Jackson

Glenda Jackson was one Grammy away from the status before her passing in 2023. She won two Academy Awards for ‘Women in Love’ and ‘A Touch of Class’. Her Tony was awarded for her performance in ‘Three Tall Women’. She earned two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in ‘Elizabeth R’. She took a long hiatus from acting to serve as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is one Tony Award away from joining the elite group. She won an Oscar for her performance in the film ‘The Reader’. Her Emmy Awards were for her roles in the miniseries ‘Mildred Pierce’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’. She earned a Grammy for the best spoken word album for children titled ‘Listen to the Storyteller’. She is recognized for her diverse range of characters in both independent films and blockbusters.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway needs a Tony Award to reach the status of winner. She won an Oscar for her supporting role in the musical film ‘Les Misérables’. Her Emmy was awarded for providing a voice for a character on the animated series ‘The Simpsons’. She received a Grammy as part of the ensemble for the ‘Les Misérables’ soundtrack. She has starred in many successful films including ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

Common

Common is one Tony win away from completing the quartet. He won an Oscar for the song ‘Glory’ from the film ‘Selma’. His Grammy wins include awards for his hip hop music and collaborative projects. He earned an Emmy for the song ‘Letter to the Free’ from the documentary ’13th’. He has appeared in many films as an actor including ‘John Wick Chapter 2’ and ‘Suicide Squad’.

Cher

Cher needs a Tony Award to complete the set of major honors. She won an Oscar for her performance in the film ‘Moonstruck’. Her Grammy was awarded for the dance hit ‘Believe’. She earned an Emmy for the television special ‘Cher The Farewell Tour’. She is a multi talented performer who has had a successful career in music and film and television for over sixty years.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews is one competitive Tony Award away from the achievement. She won an Oscar for her legendary performance in ‘Mary Poppins’. Her Grammy wins include the soundtrack for ‘Mary Poppins’ and various other recordings. She earned multiple Emmy Awards for her variety specials and television appearances. Although she has been nominated for Tonys she famously declined her nomination for ‘Victor Victoria’.

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand is one competitive Tony away from the complete set. She won an Academy Award for ‘Funny Girl’ and another for songwriting in ‘A Star Is Born’. Her numerous Grammy Awards reflect her status as a music legend. She has multiple Emmy Awards for her variety specials. While she has a special Tony Award she does not yet possess a competitive one in a regular category.

Share which of these talented actors you are rooting for to complete their collection in the comments.