The Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys have long represented the pinnacle of recognition in the arts and entertainment industry. Over the years, we’ve seen countless exceptional projects receive the acclaim they deserve, while others have been overlooked time and again. Musicians have successfully transitioned into film, just as actors have showcased their musical talents.
By 2025, such crossovers have become more common, no longer seen as an unusual career shift.
However, winning all four awards? That’s a different conversation.
The term EGOT refers to the rare achievement of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. While it may seem like just another prestigious title, consider the number of voters involved in each award. The Oscars have approximately 9,905 voting members, the Grammys and Emmys combined total around 39,000, and the Tonys have about 771 voters. Since the inception of these awards, only 21 artists have ever achieved EGOT status, along with a handful of honorary EGOT winners.
Among them are trailblazing Black men who have broken barriers and left an indelible mark on both the performing arts and culture. Legends like the late Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, James Earl Jones and John Legend paved the way, proving that EGOT status is possible.
This exclusive list also includes extraordinary Black women such as Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Although only a few Black artists have reached EGOT status, several more are incredibly close. One standout is Cynthia Erivo, who would have achieved EGOT status had she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Wicked.
Take a look at these Black men who are just one or two awards away from achieving EGOT status.
Common
Common is just a Tony Award away from achieving EGOT status. He has won an Academy Award for Best Original Song (Glory from Selma), three Grammys (Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop), Southside, and Glory), and an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the documentary 13th.
Billy Porter
Billy Porter needs an Oscar to achieve EGOT status. He has won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album (Kinky Boots), an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Pose), and two Tony Awards (Kinky Boots and A Strange Loop).
Questlove
Questlove is one Tony Award away from achieving EGOT status. He won an Emmy Award as part of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with The Roots. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is also an Academy Award winner, having earned an Oscar for Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which won Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Oscars. Additionally, he has six Grammy Awards.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar still needs a Tony Award and an Oscar to reach EGOT status. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) in 2022 for his performance at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. Lamar has also earned 22 Grammys and made history in 2018 as the first non-classical or jazz artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Will Smith
Will Smith is missing an Emmy and a Tony to complete the EGOT. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard (2021) and has also won four Grammys throughout his music career.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx needs both an Emmy and a Tony to reach EGOT status. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Ray and a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Blame It featuring T-Pain.
Donald Glover
Donald Glover is two awards away from EGOT status, needing an Oscar and a Tony. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Atlanta). He has also won five Grammys for his music career under the name Childish Gambino.
Whether they’re missing two, three, or all four awards, it doesn’t diminish the inspiration artists provide, encouraging us to believe in our own gifts.
Rest In Peace to the gifted giants, James Earl Jones and Quincy Jones.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
