CMU School of Drama


Monday, February 13, 2017

What's an EGOT? Hollywood's biggest achievement explained

Business Insider: The biggest honor in entertainment isn't TV's Emmy, or Broadway's Tony, music's Grammy, or even film's Oscar. It's all four together: the EGOT.

That grand combination of Hollywood's greatest performance prizes is called the EGOT as an acronym representing all four of the above awards.

2 comments:

Marisa Rinchiuso said...

What a monumental thing to have accomplished as it is to become an EGOT. I had heard this term prior to reading this article. However, I did not know it's origins, including the fact it is a recently coined phrase. I had originally heard it on 30 Rock, where Tracy fixates on obtaining EGOT status. It is incredible how few people have become EGOTs, but considering the qualifications needed it's understandable. It is interesting to observe the roles each of the EGOT members are considered as: director, musical composer, actor, etc. It is kind of disheartening that not one of them are designers or technical personal. Of course the Grammy's are probably the issue for that. However, I could see how a sound designer could one day become an EGOT, if only the Tony's would reinstate the Sound Design award. Regardless, it is a prestigious title that gives hope to many members of the artistic community.

nick waddington said...

This article caught my eye, as recently i saw the term on my newsfeed as i was scrolling through pictures of people's box projects, and like Marisa i too first encountered the EGOT on 30 Rock. and while it made a fun subplot for Tracy Jordan, i think it really trivializes the gravity of what it means to become and EGOT. I personally view the EGOT status as being among the best in your respective field, and the standard which everyone should strive for. I agree with Marisa in that it is pretty disheartening that there are no technical professionals who EGOT, however i think it also lends a kind of nod to the people who make it happen. because sure it is incredible for a director or actor to be part of such magnificent plays, shows, or movies, but none of that could have been possible without the crew behind the scenes.