The entertainment business has been impacted by these incredible performers who have transcended boundaries and beyond expectations.
Black EGOT winners are both trailblazers and masters, challenging the status quo in the esteemed entertainment sector. These remarkable individuals have impacted the theater, film, television, and music industries by surpassing expectations and breaking down barriers.
Moving tales of genius and an unflinching pursuit of creative mastery are told about their journeys to become the coveted EGOTs, earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
As we celebrate these luminaries’ remarkable achievements, we also recognize their revolutionary impact in expanding the opportunities for Black artists in the entertainment industry. They have permanently altered the perception of their contribution and creative accomplishment.
The Defender Top 5 Black EGOT winners are listed here.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg was the first African-American actor to be nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the Academy Awards’ lengthy history. She was the first lady of Black descent to be granted EGOT status. It took her sixteen years to receive the four prizes. She received her first Emmy at the start of 2002, her first Oscar in 1990, and her first Grammy in 1986. She cemented her EGOT status later that year when she won a Tony Award for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis began her career by winning Tony Awards for her excellent roles in Fences and King Hedley II by August Wilson. Her fascinating performance in the popular series How to Get Away with Murder earned her numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying her reputation on television. Her representations were so captivating that viewers couldn’t help but relate. She stunned moviegoers with a remarkable performance in Fences, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance on the audiobook adaptation of Finding Me earned her a Grammy as well.
Jennifer Hudson
The third Black person to earn the coveted EGOT distinction is Jennifer Hudson. Her self-titled debut album earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. She received a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as executive producer on Baba Yaga and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls. In addition, she earned a Tony for producing A Stranger Loop.
John Legend
In 2018, Legend became the first Black guy to attain this distinction, therefore his last name speaks for itself. He won Best New Artist at the 2006 Grammy Awards, and he went on to win eleven more. He took his skills to the big screen, winning an Oscar in 2015 for the song “Glory” from the film Selma. He produced Jitney, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, and produced Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, which earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special.
Quincy Jones
Of all the EGOT honorees, Quincy Jones, the musical prodigy, has solidified his position as the most decorated award winner. He received 28 Grammy Awards between 1964 and 2019. He has produced iconic and ground-breaking songs over the last 60 years, such as Michael Jackson’s Beat It and Thriller and USA for Africa’s We Are the World in 1984. He was awarded a Tony for his work on The Color Purple in 2016 and an Emmy for his compositions on the classic television series Roots in 1977. His civic activism earned him a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 1994 Oscars.
James Earl Jones
PERIOD, Jones is regarded as one of the best actors in American history.
Jones won Tony Awards for his performances in Fences (1987) and The Great White Hope (1967) for his commanding stage presence and distinctively smooth voice. He won a pair of Emmys. One was for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Film for Heat Wave, while the other was for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in Gabriel’s Fire. James won a Grammy for his narration work and provided the voice of Great American Documents.
Harry Belafonte
One of the most prosperous Jamaican-American performers of the 1950s was Harry Belafonte. In addition to being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000, he received Grammys for Best Folk Performance in 1961 and 1966. In 1960, he became the first Black artist to win an Emmy. He won an Emmy for his efforts on television when he hosted Tonight with Harry Belafonte. In addition, Belafonte’s performance in John Murray Anderson’s Almanac earned him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
