1

Richard Rodgers

Image: Dayne Topkin

Legendary composer Richard Rodgers was the first artist to achieve the EGOT. Over the course of his career, he composed 43 Broadway musicals and more than 900 songs. In addition to winning all four of the entertainment industry's top awards, Rodgers received a Pulitzer Prize, making him the first person to be awarded all five prizes.

In 1945, he won the Oscar for his song in the musical State Fair . Five years later, he received the first of his six Tonys for South Pacific (he would also win for The King and I and Pipe Dream , among others). In 1960 The Sound of Music gave Rodgers his first Grammy. Finally, in 1962, he completed the EGOT thanks to his composition for The Valiant Years , a documentary series about Winston Churchill.

2

Helen Hayes

Image: Alfred Cheney Johnston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1977, Helen Hayes became the first woman to earn the title of EGOT artist after winning a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents . The famous actress, also known as "First Lady of American Theatre", received her first Academy Award in 1931 for The Sin of Madelon Claudet —in 1970, she would receive another for _Airport_—.

A few years later, she won two Tony Awards for Happy Birthday and Time Remembered , and an Emmy for the Schlitz Playhouse of Stars series. But that's not all. Hayes was such a significant artist for American culture that, in 1986, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts in 1988.

3

Marvin Hamlisch

Image: Lucas Alexander

Composer Marvin Hamlisch, who gained fame and critical acclaim for a prolific career working on the soundtracks of dozens of films and plays, finally achieved his fourth distinct award in 1995. It was due to an Emmy for the music and lyrics for Barbra: The Concert.

By the mid-1970s, he had already won three Academy Awards for The Way We Were and The Sting , four Grammys, and a Tony for A Chorus Line . Did we mention that he also received a Pulitzer Prize? Certainly, Hamlisch was one of the most accomplished artists of the 20th century.

4

Mel Brooks

Image: Felipe Vieira

With a career spanning over seven decades , director, comedian, and screenwriter Mel Brooks has won multiple prizes and distinctions, including all four of the entertainment industry's top awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and a National Medal of Arts, among many others.

Brooks finally became an EGOT artist in 2001. The artist won four Emmys for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety and as a guest actor on the sitcom Mad About You ; three Grammys as a composer and comedian; an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; and three Tony Awards for the theatrical version of The Producers , the most awarded musical in the history of Broadway.

5

Whoopi Goldberg

Image: Library of Congress Life, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The star of The Color Purple , the beloved Whoopi Goldberg, is the first African-American to achieve EGOT status. In 1986, she received her first award, a Grammy for Best Comedy Album. In 1990, she added another accolade to her list with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost .

In addition, in 2002, Goldberg won both the Tony Award as a producer of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie and her first Daytime Emmy for Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel —in 2009, she would win another for The View .

6

Mike Nichols

Image: cottonbro studio

American film and theater director Mike Nichols, known for masterpieces such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Silkwood , and Working Girl, fell short of the EGOT in the 1960s. However, he finally earned the coveted title in 2001, when he received two Emmy Awards for his TV movie Wit .

In 1962, he was awarded a Grammy for his comedy show with Elaine May. Two years later, he won the first of his nine Tonys for the theatrical version of Barefoot in the Park . In 1967, Nichols received an Oscar for directing the mythical The Graduate . The Emmy had to wait 34 more years, but fortunately, it ended up arriving four years before he died in 2014.

7

Jennifer Hudson

Image: Kazuo ota

Did you know that Jennifer Hudson is the youngest woman to become EGOT? She earned the title in 2022, when she won a Tony for producing the Broadway show A Strange Loop .

Hudson already had an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls , a Grammy for her 2009 debut studio album, and a Daytime Emmy for her role as executive producer on Baby Yaga .

From rising to fame for her appearance on the third season of the reality series American Idol to being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the 42-year-old actress and singer is one of the most promising artists of the 21st century.

8

John Legend

Image: Lijo Joseph

In 2018, singer, songwriter, and producer John Legend made history by becoming the first African American man to achieve EGOT status. In addition, Legend is the first person to receive the four awards in four consecutive years.

The artist can proudly boast 18 Grammys, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. In 2014, he received an Academy Award as composer of the song "Glory" for the movie Selma , while three years later, he won a Tony Award as co-producer of the revival of the classic Jitney . Lastly, in 2017, Legend gained EGOT status by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special as producer of Jesus Christ Superstar . The musical was a television special in which he also appeared as the lead actor.

9

Viola Davis

Image: Mirko Fabian

It's no secret that American actress Viola Davis is one of the most outstanding artists of her generation. Fortunately, her hard work was finally recognized when, in 2023, she received the last award she needed to join the distinguished EGOT group: the recording of her memoir Finding Me got a Grammy for Best Audio Book.

Previously, Davis had won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Fences , an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder , and the Tony for her performance in King Hedley II .

10

Robert Lopez

Image: Marius Masalar

"Let it Go", the popular theme song from Disney's animated movie Frozen, has been playing since 2013 and remains a commercial success to this day. That may explain why composer Robert Lopez has become the youngest person to enter the EGOT hall of fame. Moreover, he is the only one to have two of each of these awards.

In 2004, the American songwriter won a Tony Award for Avenue Q . The streak continued with two Emmys for his work in the animated musical series Wonder Pets! The Broadway show The Book of Mormon gave him his first Grammy and two new Tonys. Lopez completed the medal count in 2014 with an Academy Award for Frozen, and in 2018, he was recognized for "Remember Me" from Coco .

1

The Golden Globe: Lighter than it looks

Image: MUILLU

Despite its prestigious reputation, the Golden Globe is one of the lightest major awards, it weighs just 7.8 pounds. That’s about the same as a small bag of sugar. Not exactly a workout for the winners, right?

While it may not be as heavy as an Oscar or a SAG Award, it’s still one of the most recognizable trophies in Hollywood.

2

A golden glow-up in 2009

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

The Golden Globe has been around since 1944, but in 2009, the award got a makeover . Its base was updated and they reinforced the top for a more durable design.

The refresh made sure this little trophy could withstand the excitement (and maybe the occasional after-party mishap). The new design kept its classic golden charm while making it sturdier for future winners.

3

Golden Globe: What’s it made of?

Image: Zlaťáky.cz

Now, let’s talk materials: Did you think the Golden Globe is all gold? Not quite! Up to 2019, the trophy was coated in 24-carat gold , sitting on an exotic marble base. However, the new design is made of zinc, brass, and bronze. Goodbye, marble!

That mix of materials makes it both elegant and solid, though it’s still one of the lighter awards out there.

4

The SAG Award: Hollywood’s heaviest trophy

Image: Venti Views

If you’ve ever bowled a strike, you’ve lifted something as heavy as a SAG Award. This trophy called "The Actor" is the bulkiest of the bunch, with a hefty 12 pounds .

Contrary to Golden Globe winners, SAG Award winners need a little arm strength to hoist it up for their acceptance speeches. But hey, considering how much actors work out for movie roles, a little extra weight shouldn’t be a problem!

5

A trophy with a military past

Image: Scott Webb

The SAG Award isn’t just heavy, it’s made of solid bronze originally developed for the US Navy.

The same material used in World War II for ship propellers and shell casings is now used to honor Hollywood’s finest, how about that?

6

The SAG Award: The baby of the group

Image: Tim Wildsmith

Compared to other long-standing awards, The Actor is still the new kid on the awards block. The SAG Awards are only 30 years old , they are the youngest of the major Hollywood trophies.

However, they’ve quickly become one of the most respected honors in the industry. They acknowledge and reward actors and crews from TV shows and they are highly valued among artists.

7

The Grammy’s original name: The Eddie?

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

The Grammy Award almost had a very different name. Originally, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences considered calling it "The Eddie," after Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph.

That’s clever, but eventually, they settled on "Grammy," inspired by the gramophone, an early record player.

8

Handcrafted with care in Colorado

Image: Randy Fath

Unlike mass-produced trophies, each Grammy is handmade by John Billings and his small team in Ridgeway, Colorado.

It takes 15 hours to craft just one , making each award a true work of art. With only a few people in charge of making them, and only a few people in the world who can win it, there’s a special touch to every trophy.

9

Why the Grammys use fake trophies on stage

Image: Markus Spiske

Ever noticed how winners don’t immediately have their names on their Grammy Awards? That’s because they’re handed blank fake trophies during the ceremony!

After the show, Billings’ wife, Robin Meiklejohn, carefully engraves the real nameplates . That way, winners get their correctly labeled awards without any last-minute surprises. We bet you’ll be double-checking next time you watch it!

10

Oscar nameplates: Everyone gets one, just in case

Image: Serge Le Strat

Unlike the Grammy Awards, where nameplates are engraved after the winners are announced, the Academy Awards prepare nameplates for every nominee ahead of time. That means each nominee’s name is already printed and waiting backstage, ready to be attached. The losers’ nameplates? Well, let’s just say they don’t make it onto the trophies

11

The Oscar: More gold than any other award

Image: Samuel Ramos

Hollywood’s most coveted trophy isn’t just tall, it’s loaded with gold . The Academy Award has more gold than any other major trophy. So, to keep it shiny, the polishing work will require a little time!

It takes an hour of careful work to make sure each Oscar gleams on awards night. Because let’s face it, under those bright Hollywood lights, who wants a dull statue?

12

What’s with the Oscar’s base?

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

Have you ever wondered why the Oscar statue has a unique look? The base is designed as a five-section film reel , representing the Academy’s five core branches: actors, writers, directors, producers, and technicians.

It’s a nod to the many different talents that make a great film possible. A meaningful detail on Hollywood’s biggest prize, don’t you think?

13

Why you can’t sell an Oscar for more than $1

Image: Ilya Chunin

Think an Oscar could get one a fortune? Think again! Since 1950, every Oscar winner must agree to offer the trophy back to the Academy for just $1 before selling it.

This rule prevents an underground market for Hollywood’s highest honor, naturally. So if you’re dreaming of buying one, you might need to win it the old-fashioned way: By making a great movie!

14

Why is it called "Oscar"?

Image: Mirko Fabian

The name "Oscar" has a fun origin story. Legend has it that Margaret Herrick, a former Academy librarian, thought the statue looked like her Uncle Oscar , and the name just stuck! Maybe that’s not the real story, but it’s certainly better than calling it "The Academy Award of Merit."

1

The American Flag has a special day

Image: Pramod Kotipalli

Every June 14 in the United States we celebrate Flag Day by hanging the flag outside our homes and participating in parades and other patriotic events. It was on this same day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress officially adopted our flag as America's national symbol.

The first Flag Day was celebrated in 1877, 100 years after the Continental Congress. However, it was President Woodrow Wilson who finally issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. A few years later, in 1949, President Harry Truman officially made it a national observance .

2

Colors have meaning

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Have you ever thought about why our flag is red, blue, and white? Yes, we’ve originally taken the colors from the British flag, and although they didn’t have a special meaning in the beginning, over time they took on new significance .

In 1782, Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, presented a proposed U.S. seal. He suggested that each of the colors of the American flag represented something different : white for purity and innocence, blue for perseverance and justice, and red for bravery and valor.

3

The first flag

Image: Gerard Avril

As the colonies seceded from Great Britain, it became necessary to have a flag to represent the patriotic cause. It is a popular belief that the first American flag was created in 1776 by a seamstress known as Betsy Ross at the request of George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. However, there is no conclusive historical evidence to confirm this theory.

What is certain is that a year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress approved the first official flag composed of 13 red and white stripes representing the American colonies and 13 stars over a blue field symbolizing a constellation.

4

Twenty-seven versions

Image: Dan Parlante

Since that first 1777 version of 13 stripes and 13 stars, the flag of the United States has undergone numerous changes. In fact, over the years, there have been 27 versions of the American flag .

Each time a state was incorporated into the Union, a star was added to the flag. Of the 27 versions, some flew for only a short time, a clear sign of the nation’s rapid expansion. Our current flag has 50 stars representing the 50 states that make up the United States today, but to know the story behind this particular flag you’ll have to keep on reading.

5

Designed by a school student?

Image: Luke Michael

The history of great nations is also based on much-needed myths of origin. For many years it was believed that our current flag, one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, had come out of the creative mind of a teenager . According to this version, 17-year-old Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio had won a contest in 1958 for creating a new flag that represented the growth of the country.

However, this legend was refuted in 2022 by writer Alec Nevala-Lee. The truth is that the 50-star flag we use today was made official in 1960 with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii. The final design was selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from among 1500 contenders. At the time, credit for this design was given by the executive department to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

6

Our flag has a nickname

Image: Thomas Ashlock

Well, actually, it has a few. Over the years the American flag has received many monickers , including Stars and Stripes and Star-Spangled Banner . But perhaps the most known nickname for our red, white, and blue flag is Old Glory . This name derives from a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver who proudly flew it on his ship throughout his career.

According to historical reconstructions, this flag was sewn by Driver's mother and other women in 1824 and given to him as a gift when he was granted his own ship. It is believed that the Captain, before sailing to China and other places in Asia and the Pacific, uttered the following words, "Behold Old Glory." This flag was preserved and is now part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and can be visited at the National Museum of American History.

7

Backward flag

Image: Jessica Radanavong

Did you know that the American flag must be displayed backward on military uniforms ? This tradition dates back to the early days of the Army. During the Civil War, both cavalry and infantry units had a bearer who was responsible for carrying the standard in combat. After launching an offensive, the impulse would cause the flag to be raised backward.

Since then, the Stars and Stripes have been placed in such a way that the section with the blue field stands on the right. This location makes it possible to create an effect as if the flag were waving before combat.

8

Say goodbye with dignity

Image: Anthony Garand

Although some may consider it disrespectful, the proper way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it . If the flag can no longer be washed or repaired, ceremonial burning is the correct and respectful way to discard a damaged flag.

It is believed to be illegal to set the flag on fire. As a matter of fact, according to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is unconstitutional for any government to prohibit the cremation of a flag if it was made as a cultural or political statement, due to its status as "symbolic speech."

9

To the Moon and back

Image: NASA

The U.S. flag has flown everywhere the nation has conquered, even the Moon. Probably one of the most iconic images of the 20th century is that of astronaut Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag during the Apollo 11 mission. It was quite an achievement: in order to get the flag to fly and stay upright in the airless lunar environment, NASA technicians had to design a special mechanism .

In the following three years, 5 other flags were planted on the Moon . But the flag left by Apollo 17 is the most special. It is a piece that had traveled on Apollo 11 and had returned to Earth. It was kept at Mission Control until it was time to return to the place it was destined for: the Moon.

10

Capitol Flag Program

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

You probably didn't know this: you can own a flag that has flown over the Capitol . Amazing, right? The Capitol Flag Program began in 1937 and allows citizens to have access to an official flag through the offices of the members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Flags flown every day on Capitol Hill —except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day— receive a certificate of authenticity before they are delivered. There are currently about 100,000 orders for flags from members of Congress and the number is increasing each year. So now you know, if you want your official capitol flag just contact your local representative or senator!