1

Richard Rodgers

Image: Dayne Topkin

Legendary composer Richard Rodgers was the first artist to achieve the EGOT. Over the course of his career, he composed 43 Broadway musicals and more than 900 songs. In addition to winning all four of the entertainment industry's top awards, Rodgers received a Pulitzer Prize, making him the first person to be awarded all five prizes.

In 1945, he won the Oscar for his song in the musical State Fair . Five years later, he received the first of his six Tonys for South Pacific (he would also win for The King and I and Pipe Dream , among others). In 1960 The Sound of Music gave Rodgers his first Grammy. Finally, in 1962, he completed the EGOT thanks to his composition for The Valiant Years , a documentary series about Winston Churchill.

2

Helen Hayes

Image: Alfred Cheney Johnston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1977, Helen Hayes became the first woman to earn the title of EGOT artist after winning a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents . The famous actress, also known as "First Lady of American Theatre", received her first Academy Award in 1931 for The Sin of Madelon Claudet —in 1970, she would receive another for _Airport_—.

A few years later, she won two Tony Awards for Happy Birthday and Time Remembered , and an Emmy for the Schlitz Playhouse of Stars series. But that's not all. Hayes was such a significant artist for American culture that, in 1986, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts in 1988.

3

Marvin Hamlisch

Image: Lucas Alexander

Composer Marvin Hamlisch, who gained fame and critical acclaim for a prolific career working on the soundtracks of dozens of films and plays, finally achieved his fourth distinct award in 1995. It was due to an Emmy for the music and lyrics for Barbra: The Concert.

By the mid-1970s, he had already won three Academy Awards for The Way We Were and The Sting , four Grammys, and a Tony for A Chorus Line . Did we mention that he also received a Pulitzer Prize? Certainly, Hamlisch was one of the most accomplished artists of the 20th century.

4

Mel Brooks

Image: Felipe Vieira

With a career spanning over seven decades , director, comedian, and screenwriter Mel Brooks has won multiple prizes and distinctions, including all four of the entertainment industry's top awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and a National Medal of Arts, among many others.

Brooks finally became an EGOT artist in 2001. The artist won four Emmys for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety and as a guest actor on the sitcom Mad About You ; three Grammys as a composer and comedian; an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; and three Tony Awards for the theatrical version of The Producers , the most awarded musical in the history of Broadway.

5

Whoopi Goldberg

Image: Library of Congress Life, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The star of The Color Purple , the beloved Whoopi Goldberg, is the first African-American to achieve EGOT status. In 1986, she received her first award, a Grammy for Best Comedy Album. In 1990, she added another accolade to her list with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ghost .

In addition, in 2002, Goldberg won both the Tony Award as a producer of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie and her first Daytime Emmy for Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel —in 2009, she would win another for The View .

6

Mike Nichols

Image: cottonbro studio

American film and theater director Mike Nichols, known for masterpieces such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Silkwood , and Working Girl, fell short of the EGOT in the 1960s. However, he finally earned the coveted title in 2001, when he received two Emmy Awards for his TV movie Wit .

In 1962, he was awarded a Grammy for his comedy show with Elaine May. Two years later, he won the first of his nine Tonys for the theatrical version of Barefoot in the Park . In 1967, Nichols received an Oscar for directing the mythical The Graduate . The Emmy had to wait 34 more years, but fortunately, it ended up arriving four years before he died in 2014.

7

Jennifer Hudson

Image: Kazuo ota

Did you know that Jennifer Hudson is the youngest woman to become EGOT? She earned the title in 2022, when she won a Tony for producing the Broadway show A Strange Loop .

Hudson already had an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls , a Grammy for her 2009 debut studio album, and a Daytime Emmy for her role as executive producer on Baby Yaga .

From rising to fame for her appearance on the third season of the reality series American Idol to being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the 42-year-old actress and singer is one of the most promising artists of the 21st century.

8

John Legend

Image: Lijo Joseph

In 2018, singer, songwriter, and producer John Legend made history by becoming the first African American man to achieve EGOT status. In addition, Legend is the first person to receive the four awards in four consecutive years.

The artist can proudly boast 18 Grammys, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. In 2014, he received an Academy Award as composer of the song "Glory" for the movie Selma , while three years later, he won a Tony Award as co-producer of the revival of the classic Jitney . Lastly, in 2017, Legend gained EGOT status by winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special as producer of Jesus Christ Superstar . The musical was a television special in which he also appeared as the lead actor.

9

Viola Davis

Image: Mirko Fabian

It's no secret that American actress Viola Davis is one of the most outstanding artists of her generation. Fortunately, her hard work was finally recognized when, in 2023, she received the last award she needed to join the distinguished EGOT group: the recording of her memoir Finding Me got a Grammy for Best Audio Book.

Previously, Davis had won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Fences , an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder , and the Tony for her performance in King Hedley II .

10

Robert Lopez

Image: Marius Masalar

"Let it Go", the popular theme song from Disney's animated movie Frozen, has been playing since 2013 and remains a commercial success to this day. That may explain why composer Robert Lopez has become the youngest person to enter the EGOT hall of fame. Moreover, he is the only one to have two of each of these awards.

In 2004, the American songwriter won a Tony Award for Avenue Q . The streak continued with two Emmys for his work in the animated musical series Wonder Pets! The Broadway show The Book of Mormon gave him his first Grammy and two new Tonys. Lopez completed the medal count in 2014 with an Academy Award for Frozen, and in 2018, he was recognized for "Remember Me" from Coco .

1

James Dean’s red jacket in Rebel Without a Cause

Image: visualsofdana

James Dean owned the screen in Rebel Without a Cause while wearing a red Harrington jacket . Jim Stark’s rebellious spirit resonated with a generation of teenagers, turning the jacket into a symbol of youthful defiance. That cool, casual style caught on in the ’50s and influenced menswear for years to come.

2

Tom Cruise’s aviator sunglasses in Top Gun

Image: Nitin Dhumal

When Top Gun soared into theaters in the ’80s, sales of Ray-Ban Aviators took off like a jet fighter, reportedly increasing by 40%. Tom Cruise’s confident Maverick made these shades the ultimate symbol of effortless cool .

The latest installment of the franchise once again led to a surge in sales. Worn by pilots and by pop stars, Aviators remain a classic icon of the tough-guy aesthetic.

3

Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel’s haircut in Friends

Image: Ilse Orsel

"The Rachel" wasn’t just a haircut—it was the haircut. Salons were flooded with requests for Jennifer Aniston’s bouncy, layered style .

The irony? Aniston reportedly hated it. But that didn’t stop an entire generation from chopping their locks in pursuit of sitcom-perfect hair .

4

Nancy Sinatra’s go-go boots

Image: Heriberto Jahir Medina

Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made for Walkin’"—along with the groovy go-go dancers on "Laugh-In" —made white go-go boots the must-have footwear of the swinging ’60s.

Fun, fashionable, and full of youthful energy , they became a symbol of the era. Every mod girl needed a pair to complete her look and strut her stuff.

5

Marilyn Monroe’s white dress

Image: Stephen Leonardi

A subway grate, a gust of wind, and boom. One of the most famous dresses in movie history was born. Marilyn Monroe’s billowing white halter dress is still a summer fashion inspiration more than half a century later.

Her signature winged eyeliner, red lips, and the Chanel No. 5 she allegedly wore to bed were also picked up by women all over the world.

6

Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat & suits

Image: Florida Memory

Jackie Kennedy’s impeccable style captivated the nation. Her elegant suits and perfectly perched pillbox hats turned heads with every public appearance.

Women everywhere sought to emulate her sophisticated, polished look, turning the First Lady into an unexpected fashion icon.

7

Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair in Charlie’s Angels

Image: Flybynight

An example of one poster that became one million salon appointments. Farrah Fawcett’s feathered waves became the ultimate hair trend of the 1970s, thanks to Charlie’s Angels.

Women flocked to salons, armed with cans of hairspray and dreams of achieving the perfect Farrah flip.

8

Madonna’s lace gloves & layered bracelets

Image: Paolo Sbalzer

Madonna was as much a fashion icon as she was a music sensation. During her Like a Virgin era in the ‘80s , she introduced a bold new style: layered rubber bracelets, rosary beads, lace gloves, and a rebellious attitude. Young girls everywhere embraced her edgy, playful look, making it a defining trend of the decade.

9

Run-D.M.C.’s Adidas sneakers

Image: Rahul Shah

No laces? No problem. Run-D.M.C. turned Adidas shell-toe sneakers into hip-hop royalty . Their song "My Adidas" made the brand explode, and suddenly sneakers with the three stripes were everywhere. Comfortable, stylish, and effortlessly cool—now that’s a trend anyone could get behind.

10

Reese's Pieces in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Image: FlyD

Did you know that in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , the beloved alien was originally supposed to be obsessed with M&Ms, not Reese’s Pieces ? Luckily for the latter, Mars turned down the offer to feature their product in a Spielberg movie.

The result? After the movie’s massive success, sales of Reese’s Pieces skyrocketed by 65%. A perfect example of how sweet product placement can be.

11

Etch-a-Sketch in Toy Story

Image: Nong

Sure, Toy Story featured dozens of different toys, but one classic that had been around for decades experienced a major resurgence after the movie’s release.

The Etch A Sketch saw a spike in sales in the ’90s, thanks to its memorable cameo in the Pixar movie. Maybe kids were drawn to its simple shake-and-draw magic , or perhaps parents couldn’t resist a wave of nostalgia.

12

Kurt Cobain’s grunge look

Image: Ralph Rabago

Kurt Cobain didn’t dress for the cameras or the music industry, yet he defined an iconic style in the ’90s. His thrift-store flannels, ripped jeans , and round sunglasses became the uniform of a generation.

Ironically, the grunge aesthetic—born from a rejection of mainstream fashion—became one of the decade’s biggest trends.

1

Ventura County, California

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A place that hosts the annual Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a sure bet if you are looking for a place that combines mountains and beaches. Mountain hiking and the classic California coastline lie within 26.2 miles of each other. Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in a valley, and the village is dotted with art galleries, farmers markets, and high-desert hikes in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.

When the season is right, many trails can be followed through scrubland, sometimes revealing cascading waterfalls along the Rose Valley Falls Trail. But for waves, visitors head downhill to Ventura, a classic coastal town.

2

Westmoreland State Park, Virginia

Image: Alex wolf mx

Westmoreland State Park in Virginia was established in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Covering 1,299 acres, the park offers sweeping vistas of the coastal plain and the Potomac River.

You can hike, boat, swim, camp, or fish in the majestic wilderness. And if you’re looking for an amazing view of the area, you can head to the natural attraction of Horsehead Cliffs, which rests high above the water.

3

Astoria, Oregon

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Oregon is likely one of the first states that come to mind when we think of a combination of beach and mountain. The coastal town of Astoria sits at the estuary of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is perhaps most famous as the filming location of the 1980s film The Goonies .

The Pacific Northwest’s beaches have a picturesque quality that is hard to find elsewhere. Hiking trails are just outside the backdoor: the Cathedral Tree-Coxcomb Hill Trail, for example, starts at a 300-year-old Sitka spruce and climbs 164 stairs to offer views of the town, the Coastal Range, and the Pacific Ocean.

4

Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts

Image: Quino Al

Herring Cove Beach is a national seashore located in Cape Cop and it’s recognized as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular spot among Provincetown locals featuring warm, calm waters flowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities in the area include swimming, walking along the coastal dunes, or exploring the Beech Forest Trail via bike or on foot.

5

Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada

Image: Tim Peterson

A familiar name and for good reason, Lake Tahoe offers a beautiful shoreline without being anywhere near the coasts. Destinations like Sand Harbor Beach feature wide expanses of sand, freshwater swimming areas, and beach coves dedicated to snorkelers and divers.

This is the largest alpine lake in the U.S., so the pine-studded hills of the Sierra Nevadas practically tumble into the waters. This makes hiking easily accessible. The Rubicon Trail traces the shores of Emerald Bay and features incredible panoramic views, cliffs, coves, waterfalls, and even a lighthouse along the 13-mile round-trip route.

6

Fort Wetherill State Park, Rhode Island

Image: Praswin Prakashan

Located in Rhode Island, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its historical significance in controlling the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. During the colonial era, a strategic battery was established to control this passage.

Because of its coastal location, the fort was also used during World War II. Nowadays, visitors come to explore this park and its coastal fort, which perches high atop granite cliffs.

7

Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York

Image: Frank Eiffert

Chimney Bluffs State Park is the spot where colossal rocky spires meet calm, collected waters. This park in New York sits along Lake Ontario on the south shore. To get a good view of the stunning chimney peaks and formations, you should hike the Chimney Bluffs Trail. The park is pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends for the ride.

8

Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Calvert Cliffs State Park is not only one of the few parks with both mountains and ocean but it also displays a prized collection of 600 prehistoric fossil species. Between 10 and 20 million years ago, the cliffs at the park were submerged under the sea. But as the water receded, erosion and exposure of the cliffs occurred, unveiling massive fossils.

Visitors can walk, lounge at the soft sandy beach, investigate these fascinating fossils, trek near forested treelines, or admire the unusual cliffs that extend along the Calvert Peninsula.

9

Echo Lake State Park, New Hampshire

Image: Aaron Burden

Echo Lake State Park boasts two stunning ledges: White Horse Ledge and Cathedral Ledge, as well as a lake called Echo Lake. Each of these spots features scenic views of the area and top-notch sites for a family picnic. You can swim, walk, or hike the White Horse Ledge Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile loop.

10

Acadia National Park, Maine

Image: Peregrine Photography

Alongside Oregon parks, Acadia National Park is a prime example of a place that combines mountainous and seaside ambiance. Situated along the Atlantic coastline in Maine, it’s no wonder this impressive scenery attracts visitors for all types of recreational experiences, especially during the fall.

Rocky beaches, towering granite peaks such as the famous Cadillac Mountain, and miles and miles of natural treasure troves perfect for hikers are among the many features this park has to offer.