12 people who have won an EGOT, the most coveted award in Hollywood

Getty Images/Hulton Archive, Ilya S. Savenok; Associated Press

The ultimate achievement for entertainers isn't just an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, or Tony. It's all four. 

Only a handful of stars have won all four of the industry's top awards — a feat popularly known by the acronym EGOT.

The term apparently came from "Miami Vice" actor Philip Michael Thomas, who used to wear a gold medallion bearing all four letters. He often publicly professed his desire to win the four awards, but hasn't been nominated for a single one, according to the New York Post. 

But 12 other actors, producers, directors, and composers have achieved the feat. Here's a complete list of every EGOT winner so far.  

Mel Brooks got his EGOT by acting, writing for TV, and writing a musical.

Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety, "The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special" (1967)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, "Mad About You" (1997)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, "Mad About You" (1998)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, "Mad About You" (1999)

Grammy Awards
Best Spoken Comedy Album, "The 2000 Year Old Man In The Year 2000" (1998)
Best Long Form Music Video, "Recording The Producers – A Musical Romp With Mel Brooks" (2001)
Best Musical Show Album, "The Producers" (2001)

Academy Award
Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen, "The Producers" (1969)

Tony Awards
Best Book of a Musical, "The Producers" (2001)
Best Musical, "The Producers" (2001)
Best Original Score, "The Producers" (2001)

Source: IMDb, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards

Whoopi Goldberg secured her EGOT with a comedy recording, a movie role, her hosting gig on the View, and a producer credit on Broadway.

Emmy Awards
Outstanding Special Class Special, "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel" (2002)
Outstanding Talk Show Host, "The View" (2009)

Grammy Award
Best Comedy Recording, "Whoopi Goldberg – Original Broadway Show Recording" (1985)

Academy Award
Best Actress in a Supporting Role, "Ghost" (1991)

Tony Award
Best Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2002)

Source: IMDb, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards

Composer Richard Rodgers (of the famed Rodgers and Hammerstein duo) was the first person to complete the EGOT. He did it in 1962.

Emmy Award
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composed for Television, "Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years" (1962)

Grammy Awards
Best Show Album, "The Sound of Music" (1960)
Best Show Album, "No Strings" (1962)

Academy Award
Best Original Song, "State Fair" (1945)

Tony Awards
Best Musical, "South Pacific" (1950)
Best Producers, "South Pacific" (1950)
Best Original Score, "South Pacific" (1950)
Best Musical, "The King and I" (1952)
Best Musical, "The Sound of Music," (1960)
Best Original Score, "No Strings" (1962)
Special Award (1962)
Special Award (1972)
Lawrence Langner Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the American Theatre (1979)

Source: IMDb, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards