Composer Richard Rodgers became the first person to win an Emmy, Grammy Oscar, and Tony Award, a quartet of honors known as the EGOT. He won his only Oscar in 1945, his first Tony in 1950 (although he doubtless would have won more if the award was introduced earlier), his first Grammy in 1960, and finally rounding out the four with an Emmy in 1962.

Rodgers stood alone until 1977 when both Helen Hayes and Rita Moreno finally joined him in the exclusive club. Hayes had already won two Oscars, Emmys and Tonys when she won her only Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording with James Earl Jones, Henry Fonda and Orson Welles for their work on "Great American Documents." Rita Moreno joined them in September of that year when she won her first Emmy for a guest appearance on The Muppet Show, having already received an Oscar, Grammy and Tony.

The phrase EGOT was coined actor Philip Michael Thomas in late 1984, when his role on Miami Vice brought him sudden fame and he stated a desire to achieve the EGOT within five years. To date, 19 people have received the rarified honor although Mr. Thomas has yet to be nominated for any of the four awards.

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