Elton John Becomes an EGOT as Dodger Stadium Special Wins Primetime Emmy

Paul Grein
·3 min read
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Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium won the Primetime Emmy for outstanding variety special (live) on Monday (Jan. 15), making Sir Elton John an EGOT. He’s the 19th performer to complete the sweep of the top entertainment awards.

In a statement, the performer said, “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.”

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Elton is 76 years and nine months old, which makes him the second-oldest performer upon becoming an EGOT. Sir John Gielgud (also English and gay, like Elton) was 87 years and four months when he completed the sweep in 1991. Helen Hayes was a bit younger than Elton (76 years and four months) when she became an EGOT in 1977.

Elton is the first EGOT who has topped the Billboard 200 as a credited artist. He landed seven consecutive No. 1 albums between 1972-75. (Several previous EGOTS were creative participants in No. 1 albums, but they weren’t the credited artists.)

Elton is the second EGOT who has landed a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. He follows John Legend, who topped Billboard’s flagship songs chart in May 2014 with “All of Me” and became an EGOT in 2018. Elton has amassed nine No. 1 hits on the survey.

Elton landed his first EGOT-level award in February 1987 when he won his first Grammy for his part in Dionne & Friends’ “That’s What Friends Are For,” which won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. He has since won four more Grammys.

He won his first Oscar in March 1995 when “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King (which he co-wrote with Tim Rice) won best original song. He won again in that category in February 2020 with “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman, which he co-wrote with his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin.

He won his only Tony to date (best original score) in June 2000 for Aida. He and Rice co-wrote the score.

Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium (Disney+) prevailed in a highly competitive category which also included The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna (Fox), Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix), The Oscars (ABC) and the 75th Annual Tony Awards (CBS).

Elton won his Emmy as both an executive producer and performer on the special, which took him back to the site of his 1975 concert triumph. Other exec producers on the special were Elton’s husband and frequent collaborator David Furnish, Luke Lloyd Davies, Ben Winston, Gabe Turner, Sally Wood, Emma Conway, Lou Fox, Sean Alvarez and R. J. Cutler. John Foy and Paul Dugdale were co-executive producers. Saj Patel and Penny LeVesconte were line producers. All won Primetime Emmys.

Hosted by former blackish star Anthony Anderson, the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Jesse Collins Entertainment produced the show, which was broadcast live from 8-11 p.m. ET (5-8 p.m. PT) on Fox. The eligibility period for this year’s Primetime Emmys was June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

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