This post was originally published on September 11, 2018. It has been updated with additional EGOT contenders and the removal of those who have since accomplished the feat, most recently Pasek and Paul.
The Emmys gave out all the EGOTs they could this year. At the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 8, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ascended to EGOTs after winning the award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for Only Murders in the Building season three. They were the final Emmy-needers on this list. (The last person to join the group before them was Sir Elton John, who won Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium at the 2023 postponed Emmys held in January 2024.) This is great news not only for La La Land lovers but also for all of us engaged in the timeless Hollywood sport of EGOT-watching. Now, 21 artists in show-business history have won all four esteemed awards. With awards season ramping up, we’ve rounded up the next-closest EGOTers.
Only needs a Tony
Trent Reznor
Oscar: Best Original Score for The Social Network (2010), Best Original Score for Soul (2021),
Emmy: Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special for Watchmen (2020)
Grammy: Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for Soul (2021), Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Best Metal Performance for Nine Inch Nails’ “Happiness in Slavery” (1996), Best Metal Performance for Nine Inch Nails’ “Wish” (1993).
How Close Is He? Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails bandmate Atticus Ross were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, making them really, really close to obtaining a REGOT. Despite Reznor’s progress, he’ll have to bring heavy metal to the theater to collect a Tony.
Martin Scorsese
Oscar: Best Achievement in Directing for The Departed (2007)
Emmy: Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming for George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2012), Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Boardwalk Empire (2011)
Grammy: Best Long Form Music Video for No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2006)
How Close Is He? He’s got a slight chance. Scorsese’s 1982 film King of Comedy was being adapted into a Broadway musical back in 2015. It hasn’t gained traction since, meaning that’s probably it for Marty’s EGOT chances. There’s not a whole lot of demand for a musical version of Hugo.
Cher
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Moonstruck (1988)
Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for Cher: The Farewell Tour (2003)
Grammy: Best Dance Recording for “Believe” (2000)
How Close Is She? Closer than most. There’s a musical based on Cher’s life called The Cher Show; although it won two Tonys, none of them was dedicated to the show’s namesake.
Julie Andrews
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Mary Poppins (1965)
Emmy: Outstanding Nonfiction Series for Broadway: The American Musical (2005), Outstanding Variety Musical Series for The Julie Andrews Hour (1973)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album for Children for Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies (2011), Best Recording for Children for Mary Poppins (1965)
How Close Is She? To borrow a phrase familiar to recent Tony voters, Andrews already threw away her shot: In 1996, she declined a nomination for Victor/Victoria after everyone else involved in the production — including her husband, Blake Edwards — was snubbed. She has no current plans to return to Broadway.
Kate Winslet
Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for The Reader (2009)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Mildred Pierce (2011)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album for Children for Listen to the Storyteller (2000)
How Close Is She? Not very. Winslet by her own admission doesn’t do theater. However, she has joked about heading to Broadway to get that Tony, and she’s mentioned that her son really wants her to complete her EGOT. Maybe for his birthday?
Alan Bergman
Oscar: Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score for Yentl (1983), Best Music, Original Song for “The Way We Were” from The Way We Were (1975), Best Music, Original Song for “The Windmills of Your Mind” from The Thomas Crown Affair (1969)
Emmy: Outstanding Music and Lyrics for “A Ticket to Dream” from AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Movies: America’s Greatest Movies (1999), Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics for “Ordinary Miracles” from Barbra: The Concert (1995), Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Special (Dramatic Underscore) for Sybil (1977)
Grammy: Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture, The Way We Were (1975)
How Close Is He? He was half of a husband-wife composing duo with his wife, Marilyn, who died in 2022 while also one Tony away from an EGOT. The pair (who worked frequently alongside late EGOT winner Marvin Hamlisch) wrote two musicals together, but the last came in 1978. Does Alan have another one in him?
H.E.R.
Oscar: Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Emmy: Outstanding Short Form Program for “We The People” (2022)
Grammy: Best R&B Performance for “Best Part” (with Daniel Caesar) (2019), Best R&B Album for H.E.R. (2019), Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe” (2021), Best R&B Song for “Better Than I Imagined,” Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Fight for You” (2022)
How Close Is She? She was one of the producers of Here Lies Love, which is eligible for the 2024 Tonys. If she EGOTs, she’ll be the youngest and fastest to ever do it.
Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Oscar: Best Original Song for “Let It Go” from Frozen (2013); Best Original Song for “Remember Me” from Coco (2017)
Emmy: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “Agatha All Along” from WandaVision (2021); Outstanding Short Form Program for We the People (2022)
Grammy: Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for Frozen and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Let It Go” from Frozen (2015)
How Close Is She? Her frequent collaborator and husband, Robert Lopez, is the only person so far to ever EGOT twice. The Broadway production of Frozen was nominated at the 2018 Tonys for Best Original Score, but she and Robert lost to David Yazbek’s The Band’s Visit. Maybe she’ll have better luck with the planned Broadway adaptation of Coco.
Common
Oscar: Best Original Song for “Glory” from Selma (2015)
Emmy: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “Letter to the Free” from 13th (2017)
Grammy: Best R&B Song for “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” (2003), Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Southside” (2008), Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Glory” (2016)
How Close Is He? In late 2022, he made his Broadway debut acting in Between Riverside and Crazy. The play and his castmate Stephen McKinley Henderson both scored Tony nominations, but neither won. He could choose the right role that will get him that “T,” but given his awards history, he might also want to pursue the music route.
Ron Howard
Oscar: Best Picture, Director for A Beautiful Mind (2002)
Emmy: Outstanding Miniseries for From the Earth to the Moon (1998), Outstanding Comedy Series for Arrested Development (2004)
Grammy: Best Musical Film for The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2017)
How Close Is He? The filmmaker hasn’t seemed all that interested in pursuing theater credits. However, in our age of movie-to-musical adaptations, you never know when a producing opportunity will pop up.
Adele
Oscar: Best Original Song for “Skyfall” from Skyfall (2013)
Emmy: Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for Adele One Night Only (2022)
Grammy: Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Chasing Pavements” (2009); Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling in the Deep” (2012); Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You” (2012); Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album for 21 (2012); Best Pop Solo Performance for “Set Fire to the Rain” (2013); Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Skyfall” from Skyfall (2014); Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album for 25 (2017); Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Hello” (2017); Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy on Me” (2023)
How Close Is She? In 2016, she told Vanity Fair that she would “love to be on Broadway.” However, she also specified that her dream role is to play Gypsy’s Mama Rose when she’s “like 50.” So maybe in another 15 years?
Paul McCartney
Oscar: Best Original or Adaptation Score for Let It Be (1971)
Emmy: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series for The Beatles: Get Back (2022)
Grammy: Best New Artist and Best Performance by a Vocal Group for A Hard Day’s Night (1965); Song of the Year for “Michelle” and Best Contemporary (R&R) Solo Vocal Performance for “Eleanor Rigby” (1967); Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Album for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1968); Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for Let It Be (1971); Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (1972); Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for “Band on the Run” (1975); Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Rockestra Theme” (1980); Best Long Form Music Video for The Beatles Anthology and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Short Form Music Video for “Free As a Bird” (1997); Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for “Helter Skelter” (2011); Best Historical Album for Band on the Run (2012); Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Kisses on the Bottom (2013); Best Rock Song for “Cut Me Some Slack” and Best Music Film for Live Kisses (2014)
How Close Is He? In 2019, McCartney announced that he was working on a musical version of It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s been a few years without any big updates, but we can’t write him off completely.
Ringo Starr
Oscar: Best Original or Adaptation Score for Let It Be (1971)
Emmy: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series for The Beatles: Get Back (2022)
Grammy: Best New Artist and Best Performance by a Vocal Group for A Hard Day’s Night (1965); Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Album for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1968); Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for Let It Be (1971); Album of the year for The Concert for Bangladesh (1973); Best Long Form Music Video for The Beatles Anthology and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, Best Short Form Music Video for “Free As a Bird” (1997)
How Close Is He? The octogenarian hasn’t seemed to catch the theater bug yet. Let’s go ahead and put him down as unlikely.
Eminem
Oscar: Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself” from 8 Mile (2003)
Emmy: Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (2022)
Grammy: Best Rap Solo Performance for “My Name Is” and Best Rap Album for The Slim Shady LP (2000); Best Rap Solo Performance for “The Real Slim Shady,” Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Forgot About Dre” and Best Rap Album for The Marshall Mathers LP (2001); Best Music Video for “Without Me” and Best Rap Album for The Eminem Show (2003); Best Male Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song for “Lose Yourself” (2004); Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Crack a Bottle” and Best Rap Album for Relapse (2010); Best Rap Album for Recovery and Best Rap Solo Performance for “Not Afraid” (2011); Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “The Monster” and Best Rap Album for The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2015)
How Close Is He? While Eminem might have served as inspiration for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, hip-hop music is still not very common on Broadway. Maybe one day they’ll make an 8 Mile musical?
James Moll
Oscar: Best Documentary Feature for The Last Days (1999)
Emmy: Outstanding Interview for Inheritance (2009), News & Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Informational Special for Survivors of the Holocaust (1996)
Grammy: Best Long Form Music Video for Foo Fighters: Back and Forth
How Close Is He? Moll is a filmmaker who mostly does documentaries. A Tony is going to be tough.
Randy Newman
Oscar: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song for “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3 (2011), Best Music, Original Song for “If I Didn’t Have You” from Monsters, Inc. (2002)
Emmy: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “When I’m Gone” from Monk (2010), Outstanding Main Title Theme Music for Monk (2004), Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics for Cop Rock (1991)
Grammy: Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals for “Putin” (2018), Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Toy Story 3 (2011), Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for “Our Town” from Cars (2007), Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for “If I Didn’t Have You” from Monsters, Inc. (2003), Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2 (2001), Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for A Bug’s Life (2000), Best Instrumental Composition for The Natural (1985)
How Close Is He? Hard to say: Though Newman has written various works for the stage, he’s never been nominated for a Tony. No matter. He’s more of an L.A. guy anyway.
Barbra Streisand
Oscar: Best Music, Original Song for “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” from A Star Is Born (1977), Best Actress in a Leading Role for Funny Girl (1969)
Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Timeless: Live in Concert (2001), Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Barbra: The Concert (1995), Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for Barbra: The Concert (1995), Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment — Actors and Performers for My Name Is Barbra (1965)
Grammy: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for The Broadway Album (1986), Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for “Guilty” (1980), Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for “Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)” (1977), Song of the Year for “Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)” (1977), Best Vocal Performance, Female for My Name Is Barbra (1965), Best Vocal Performance, Female for “People” (1964), Album of the Year (Other Than Classical) for The Barbra Streisand Album (1963), Best Vocal Performance, Female for The Barbra Streisand Album (1963)
How Close Is She? Only a technicality away. Streisand received a special Tony for “Star of the Decade” in 1970, which most EGOT observers say doesn’t count. (She also received two competitive nominations in the 1960s, but lost both times.) Unfortunately, the asterisk might be permanent: Though she presented at the 2016 ceremony, Streisand has not announced any plans to go back to Broadway.
John Williams
Oscar: Best Music, Original Score for Schindler’s List (1994), Best Music, Original Score for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983), Best Music, Original Score for Star Wars (1978), Best Music, Original Dramatic Score for Jaws (1976), Best Music, Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score for Fiddler on the Roof (1972)
Emmy: Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for Great Performances (2009), Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition — for a Special Program for Jane Eyre (1972), Outstanding Achievement in Musical Composition for Heidi (1969)
Grammy: Best Instrumental Composition for “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” (2020), Best Arrangement Instrumental or A Cappella for “Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra” from Catch Me If You Can (2017), Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2016), Best Instrumental Composition for The Book Thief (2015), Best Instrumental Composition for “The Adventures of Mutt” from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2009), Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Memoirs of a Geisha (2007), Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television for Saving Private Ryan (1999), Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television for Schindler’s List (1995), Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983), Best Instrumental Composition for “Flying — Theme from ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’” from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983), Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Flying — Theme from ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’” from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983), Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1982), Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1981), Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Superman (1980), Best Instrumental Composition for “Prelude and Main Title March” from Superman (1980), Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1979), Best Album of Original Score written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Star Wars (1978), Best Instrumental Composition for “Main Titles From Star Wars” from Star Wars (1978), Best Pop Instrumental Performance from Star Wars (1978), Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for Jaws (1976)
How Close Is He? He might as well be in a galaxy far, far away. Williams has never written music for a Broadway show, and hasn’t shown any special yearning for theater since his 1975 musical, Thomas and the King, was a failure on the West End.
Michael Giacchino
Oscar: Best Original Score for Up (2010)
Emmy: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) for Lost (2005)
Grammy: Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Up (2010), Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Ratatouille (2008)
How Close Is He? When it comes to extracurricular pursuits, Giacchino would much prefer to write music for video games than Broadway. Once millennials start aging into theater, he’ll be the guy to call for Grand Theft Auto: The Musical.
Only needs an Oscar
Cynthia Nixon
Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2008), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Sex and the City (2004)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album for An Inconvenient Truth (2009)
Tony: Best Actress in a Play for Rabbit Hole (2006)
How Close Is She? She seemed fairly close — and said there was an Oscar-worthy role in the cards — until she decided to get into politics. She was defeated in the 2018 race for New York governor, meaning she won’t GGOT. But who knows what’s next for this Gilded Age star?
Cyndi Lauper
Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Mad About You (1995)
Grammy: Best New Artist (1985), Best Musical Theater Album for Kinky Boots (2014)
Tony: Best Original Score for Kinky Boots (2013)
How Close Is She? It’s possible. Though movies prefer using songs from Lauper’s vast catalogue, a future Best Original Song opportunity is not out of the question.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program for South Park (2013), Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour) for South Park (2009, 2008, 2007, 2005)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for The Book of Mormon: Original Cast Recording (2012)
Tony: Best Musical for The Book of Mormon (2011), Best Book of a Musical for The Book of Mormon (2011), Best Original Score for The Book of Mormon (2011), Best Direction of a Musical for Book of Mormon (2011)
How Close Are They? Pretty close. The South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut song “Blame Canada” infamously lost out to Phil Collins’s Tarzan tune “You’ll Be in My Heart” at the 2000 Oscars, but they’ve got a solid chance at a Best Original Song trophy if the Book of Mormon movie ever happens.
Anne Garefino
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program for South Park (2013), Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour) for South Park (2009, 2008, 2007, 2005)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for The Book of Mormon: Original Cast Recording (2012)
Tony: Best Musical for The Book of Mormon (2011)
How Close Is She? It’s tricky. As the longtime producing partner of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Garefino would need the Book of Mormon movie to compete for Best Picture to have a shot at the EGOT. An easier bet? Getting the pair to make another animated film. (Producers and directors share the Best Animated Feature trophy.)
John Kander
Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics for Liza Minnelli Live From Radio City Music Hall (1993), Outstanding Achievement in Music, Lyrics and Special Material for Liza With a Z (1973)
Grammy: Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album for Cabaret (1968)
Tony: Best Original Score for Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1993), Best Original Score for Woman of the Year (1981), Best Original Score for Cabaret (1967)
How Close Is He? It doesn’t seem likely. As one-half of the legendary songwriting duo Kander and Ebb, John Kander has twice been nominated for musical Oscars, most recently for 2002’s Chicago. Unfortunately for his EGOT chances, Kander hasn’t written music for a film since Ebb’s death in 2004.
Lily Tomlin
Emmy: Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for An Apology to Elephants (2013), Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program for Lily: Sold Out (1981), Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special for The Paul Simon Special (1978), Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Special for The Lily Tomlin Special (1976), Best Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music for Lily (1974)
Grammy: Best Comedy Recording for This Is a Recording (1973)
Tony: Best Actress in a Play for The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1986)
How Close Is She? It’s doable, if she commits. Tomlin has been averaging about a film a year, but movies like Admission and Grandma aren’t going to get it done. Could her role in 80 for Brady finally complete her EGOT? If not, find a prestige director and go for broke toward a Supporting Actress nom, girl! I promise you it will work out better than last time.
Dick Van Dyke
Emmy: Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series for Van Dyke and Company (1977), Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1966), Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment — Actors and Performers for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1965), Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series (Lead) for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1964)
Grammy: Best Recording for Children for Mary Poppins (1965)
Tony: Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Bye Bye Birdie (1961)
How Close Is He? Not likely. Van Dyke still occasionally sings and dances his way through films like the 2018 family musical Buttons, but they’re not the kind of movies the Academy typically smiles upon.
James Earl Jones
Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Picket Fences (1994)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents (1977)
Tony: Best Leading Actor in a Play for Fences (1987), Best Leading Actor in a Play for The Great White Hope (1969)
How Close Is He? Closer than Hayden Christensen: Jones got an honorary Oscar in 2011. The way we see it, if he wants to make a “real” EGOT, he’s got two options. One, go the Nebraska route, lean into the octogenarian angle, and hope to eke out a win in a weaker Best Actor year; two, go full Judi Dench and hunt for some really meaty one-scene wonders in shameless Oscar bait.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Emmy: Outstanding Variety Special for Hamilton (2021), Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for The 67th Annual Tony Awards (2014)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for Hamilton (2016), Best Song Written for Visual Media for “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana (2018), Best Musical Theater Album for In the Heights (2009)
Tony: Best Musical for In the Heights (2008), Best Original Score for In the Heights (2008), Best Musical for Hamilton (2016), Best Book of a Musical for Hamilton (2016), Best Original Score for Hamilton (2016)
How Close Is He? We bet Miranda imagines winning an EGOT so much it seems more like a memory. When’s he gonna get it? He had a shot with Moana but lost to rival near-EGOTS Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. He’s got plenty more chances coming — even after he played himself at the 2022 Oscars by submitting “Dos Oruguitas” instead of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for Best Original Song.
Audra McDonald
Emmy: Outstanding Special Class Program for Live From Lincoln Center (2015)
Grammy: Best Classical Album for Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2008), Best Opera Recording for Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (2008)
Tony: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (2014), Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Porgy and Bess (2008), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun (2004), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Ragtime (1998), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Masterclass (1996), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Carousel (1994)
How Close Is She? In other decades, she’d have been a shoo-in. But with the decline of the movie musical, McDonald will have to hope for a bit of luck in her projects. Anyone wanna adapt Ohio State Murders for the big screen?
Marc Shaiman
Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program for The 64th Annual Academy Awards
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for Hairspray (2004)
Tony: Best Original Score for Hairspray (2003), Best Musical for Hairspray (2003)
How Close Is He? Hey, Marc Shaiman, you almost went all the way, man. He wrote the music for 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns — the original Poppins won Best Original Song in 1965 — and got two Oscar nominations in 2019 for his efforts, but he still went home without any statuettes.
Charles Strouse
Emmy: Outstanding Music and Lyrics for Bye Bye Birdie (1996)
Grammy: Best Cast Show Album for Annie (1978)
Tony: Best Original Score for Annie (1977), Best Musical for Applause (1970), Best Musical for Bye Bye Birdie (1961)
How Close Is He? The dude wrote music for Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, and All Dogs Go to Heaven — what a legend! He’s also over 90 years old and seemingly retired, so an EGOT is probably not in the cards.
Hugh Jackman
Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for 58th Tony Awards (2005)
Grammy: Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Visual Media for The Greatest Showman (2019)
Tony: Best Actor in a Musical for The Boy From Oz (2004)
How Close Is He? He already scored an Oscar nomination back in 2013 for Les Misérables. That being said, he doesn’t have an obvious play for the win in his upcoming filmography — unless we’re underestimating the depth of his role in Deadpool 3.
Cynthia Erivo
Emmy: Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program for The Color Purple (2017)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for The Color Purple (2017)
Tony: Best Leading Actress in a Musical for The Color Purple (2016)
How Close Is She? While she got an Oscar nomination for Harriet in 2020, she lost to Renée Zellweger (who in turn won for a different biopic, Judy). We’ll have to see if she can fly to new heights as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked movie.
Ben Platt
Emmy: Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program for “You Will Be Found” (2018)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for Dear Evan Hansen (2018)
Tony: Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Dear Evan Hansen (2017)
How Close Is He? The film adaption of Dear Evan Hansen was decidedly not his route to Oscars glory. But Platt is young and he stays busy — his time could certainly come.
Billy Porter
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Pose (2019)
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album for Kinky Boots (2014)
Tony: Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Kinky Boots (2013), Best Musical for A Strange Loop (2022)
How Close Is He? He told Vulture he’s ready for his O. He announced that he’s co-writing and starring in a James Baldwin biopic, which if he pulls off could be his chance — the Academy loves a biopic.
Only needs a Grammy
Jessica Lange
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Blue Sky (1995), Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Tootsie (1983)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for American Horror Story: Coven (2014), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for American Horror Story (2012), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Grey Gardens (2009)
Tony: Best Actress in a Play for A Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2016)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Reteam with Ryan Murphy for American Horror Story: Children’s Book! Kids are going to learn about pegging eventually; they might as well learn it from these two.
Jeremy Irons
Oscar: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Reversal of Fortune (1991)
Emmy: Outstanding Narrator for Big Cat Week (2014), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Elizabeth I (2006), Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century (1997)
Tony: Best Actor in a Play for The Real Thing (1984)
How Close Is He? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: See if there are any forthcoming nonfiction books about the Gucci family.
Al Pacino
Oscar: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Scent of a Woman (1993)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for You Don’t Know Jack (2010), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Angels in America (2004)
Tony: Best Leading Actor in a Play for The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel (1977), Best Supporting Actor in a Play for Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? (1969)
How Close Is He? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: a one-man audio performance of Merchant of Venice!
Geoffrey Rush
Oscar: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Shine (1997)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2005)
Tony: Best Leading Actor in a Play for Exit the King (2009)
How Close Is He? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Get working on narrating a Minions book, pronto.
Maggie Smith
Oscar: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for California Suite (1979), Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1970)
Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Downton Abbey (2012, 2011), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for My House in Umbria (2003)
Tony: Best Leading Actress in a Play for Lettice and Lovage (1990)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Twist Julian Fellowes’s arm until he agrees to write a Downton Abbey tie-in book about the history of the Granthams.
Liza Minnelli
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Cabaret (1973)
Emmy: Outstanding Single Program — Variety and Popular Music for Liza With a Z (1973)
Tony: Best Special Theatrical Event for Liza’s at The Palace …! (2009), Best Leading Actress in a Musical for The Act (1978), Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Flora the Red Menace (1965)
How Close Is She? No audiobooks necessary for her. Minnelli won a Grammy Legend Award in 1990; if she wants a competitive award, she needs to go hard in the Traditional Pop Vocal category. There’s no reason Rod Stewart should be sweeping all those things up.
Ellen Burstyn
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1975)
Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for Political Animals (2013), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009)
Tony: Best Actress in a Play for Same Time, Next Year (1975)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Burstyn converted to Sufism in the late ’70s, so why not try her hand a recording an audiobook of the Holy Koran?
Vanessa Redgrave
Oscar: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Julia (1978)
Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special for Playing for Time (1981)
Tony: Best Actress in a Play for Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2003)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: A new edition of The Year of Magical Thinking!
Helen Mirren
Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for The Queen (2007)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Prime Suspect: The Final Act (2007), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for Elizabeth I (2006), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for The Passion of Ayn Rand (1999), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness (1996)
Tony: Best Leading Actress in a Play for The Audience (2015)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Write a new memoir (if Michael Caine can do two, then dammit, so can Helen Mirren), then give the audio version the full Mirren!
Frances McDormand
Oscar: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2018), Best Actress in a Leading Role for Fargo (1997), Best Actress in a Leading Role for Nomadland (2021)
Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for Olive Kitteridge (2015), Outstanding Limited Series for Olive Kitteridge (2015)
Tony: Best Leading Actress in a Play for Good People (2011)
How Close Is She? Every actor who only needs a Grammy is just an audiobook away. Our suggestion: Get the Coens to turn Fargo into a book, too, narrate it, then rake in that EGOT.