Black EGOT Winners

Black EGOT winners Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, and John Legend are members of this exclusive and coveted feat in Hollywood. They all made history when they earned their esteemed achievement. Whoopi was the first black woman, John was the youngest, and Jennifer was the third black overall and fifth woman overall.

EGOT is an acronym for Emmy Grammy Oscar Tony. It is the designation given to people who have won all four of those awards.

As of 2022, 17 people have earned this feat and 3 of them are black. The EGOT acronym was coined by actor Philip Michael Thomas. In late 1984, when his role on the new hit show Miami Vice brought him instant fame. He stated a desire to achieve the EGOT within five years. Thomas has never been nominated for any of the EGOT awards.

Whoopi Goldberg Is A Black EGOT Winner

Whoopi Goldberg became the first black woman EGOT winner in 2002. She received her Tony Award for producing Thoroughly Modern Millie and her Daytime Emmy for Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel. Next, Goldberg won her Grammy in 1985 for Best Comedy Recording with Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway. Finally, she received her Oscar in 1991 for Best Supporting Actress as psychic Oda Mae Brown in Ghost.

John Legend Is A Black EGOT Winner

John Legend became the youngest person to become an EGOT winner in 2002. He won an Emmy for serving as executive producer on NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Next, Legend earned his Tony in the year prior for Best Revival of a Play after co-producing August Wilson’s Jitney. Finally, he took home an Oscar in 2015 for Best Original Song with “Glory” from Selma, and is now a twelve-time Grammy winner.

Jennifer Hudson Is A Black EGOT Winner

Hudson began her EGOT journey in 2007 with an Oscar for best supporting actress as the effervescent Effie White in “Dreamgirls.” Next was a Grammy for best R&B album for her self-titled debut in 2009 (followed up eight years later with a win for “The Color Purple,” the 2017 best musical theater album). And just last year, she was honored with a Daytime Emmy for best interactive media as an executive producer for “Baba Yaga,” a virtual-reality animated film.

People Who Are Close To Winning An EGOT

The following people are close to winning an EGOT. They are only lacking one award.

Viola Davis – Grammy

Common – Tony

André De Shields – Oscar

Audra McDonald – Oscar

Billy Porter – Oscar

Cicely Tyson – Grammy

Cynthia Erivo – Oscar

Oprah – Grammy

Stan Lathan – Oscar