Disney Legend Sir Elton John Gets His EGOT

Sir Elton John is one of the most prolific singers in rock and roll history. The legend turns 77 in March and has retired from the road, but he continues to receive career accolades, thanks, in part, to his relationship with the Walt Disney Company. And on Monday night, John finished a career milestone.

At the Emmy Awards, John received his first career Emmy for his special, Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which aired on Disney Plus. With his first Emmy, Elton John became the 19th person in history to complete the EGOT.

So, what exactly is the EGOT? It is a person who wins an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards in one’s lifetime. It takes a special talent who can sing and actor, or in John’s case, sing and compose music.

John has won five Grammy Awards over his 50+ year musical career; he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” from Disney’s The Lion King (1994); And he won a Tony Award for composing the music for Aida (2000). 

Sir Elton John was home recovering from a knee operation. Ben Winston, who produced his Disney Plus streaming special, accepted the award on his behalf.

John said in a statement: 

I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight. The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world. Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful.

Elton John joins composers Tim Rice and Alan Menken, directors Mike Nichols and Mel Brooks, and actresses Rita Moreno and Audrey Hepburn as fellow EGOT winners. John and Tim Rice worked together on Aida, but Rice also worked on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King (again with Elton John), and Aladdin on Broadway.

Alan Menken is a Disney Legend in his own right, creating the music for The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Tangled (2010), and dozens more.

John’s EGOT status also puts him in the same company as musician John Legend and actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium is still available for streaming on Disney Plus. The two-and-a-half-hour farewell concert special from Los Angeles highlights the entirety of John’s career.

Sir Elton John’s Emmy Award win for Best Variety special on Monday night caps off a fantastic career and adds one more talented artist who can now claim EGOT status.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.