The EGOT is perhaps the most coveted title in American entertainment. Only 16 people in history have received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. It’s the ultimate achievement for artists who have the ability to traverse different mediums and modes of storytelling — whether it be acting, directing, dancing, singing, composing or writing. This exclusive club comprises true commanders of their craft, including these six entertainers and American Masters subjects:
Richard Rodgers, Composer (1902 – 1979)
Emmy: Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composed, “Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years” (1962)
Grammy: Best Show Album, “The Sound of Music” (1960); Best Original Cast Show Album, “No Strings” (1962)
Oscar: Best Song, “It Might As Well Be Spring” from “State Fair” (1945)
Tony: Special Tony Award (1962, 1972, 1979); Tony Award for Producers, Musical, “South Pacific” (1950); Best Score, “South Pacific” (1950); Best Musical, “The King and I” (1952); Best Musical, “The Sound of Music” (1960); Best Composer, “No Strings” (1962)
Helen Hayes, Actor (1900 – 1993)
Emmy: Best Actress, “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: Not a Chance” (1953)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Recording, “Great American Documents” (1977)
Oscar: Best Actress, “The Sin of Madelon Claudet (1932); Best Supporting Actress, “Airport” (1970)
Tony: Best Actress in a Drama, “Happy Birthday” (1947); Best Actress in a Drama, “Time Remembered” (1958); Special Tony Award, Lawrence Langner Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre (1980)
Rita Moreno, Actor, Dancer, Singer (1931 -)
Emmy: Supporting Actress, Variety or Music, “The Muppet Show” (1977); Lead Actress for Single Appearance in a Comedy or Drama, “The Rockford Files” (1978)
Grammy: Best Recording for Children, “The Electric Company” (1972)
Oscar: Best Supporting Actress, “West Side Story” (1962)
Tony: Best Supporting Actress in a Play, “The Ritz” (1975)
Marvin Hamlisch, Composer (1944 – 2012)
Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Direction, “Barbra: The Concert” (1995); Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics, “Barbra: The Concert” (1995); Outstanding Music and Lyrics, “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies” (1999); Outstanding Music Direction, “Timeless: Live in Concert” (2001)
Grammy: Song of the Year, “The Way We Were” (1974); best new artist of the year (1974); Best Album of the Original Score “The Way We Were” (1974); Best Pop Instrumental Performance, “The Entertainer” (1974)
Oscar: Best Original Dramatic Score, “The Way We Were” (1973), Best Song “The Way We Were” (1973); and Best Adapted Score, “The Sting” (1973)
Tony: Best Musical Score, “A Chorus Line” (1976)
Mel Brooks, writer, actor, director (1926 -)
Emmy: Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety, “The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special” (1967); Three awards for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, “Mad About You” (1997-99)
Grammy: Best Spoken Comedy Album, “The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000” (1998); Best Long-Form Music Video, “Recording ‘The Producers'” (2002); Best Musical Show Album, “The Producers” (2002)
Oscar: Best Original Screenplay, “The Producers” (1968)
Tony: Best Musical, “The Producers” (2001); Original Score, “The Producers” (2001); and Book of a Musical, “The Producers” (2001)
Mike Nichols, director, producer, comedian (1931 – 2014)
Emmy: Best Director of Miniseries, Movie or Special, “Wit” (2001); Best Made for Television Movie, “Wit” (2001); Best Directing of Miniseries, Movie or Special, “Angels in America” (2004); Best Miniseries, “Angels in America” (2004)
Grammy: Best Comedy Performance, “An Evening With Mike Nichols and Elaine May” (1961)
Oscar: Best Director, “The Graduate” (1967)
Tony: Best Director of a Play, “Barefoot in the Park” (1964); Best Director of a Play, “Luv” and “The Odd Couple” (1965); Best Director of a Play, “Plaza Suite” (1968); Best Director of a Play, “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (1972); Best Director of a Play, “The Real Thing” (1984); Best Director of a Play, “Death of a Salesman” (2012); Best Musical, “Annie” (1977); Best Play, “The Real Thing” (1984); Best Director of a Musical, “Monty Python’s Spamalot” (2005)