Alan Menken Obtains EGOT, Ranks 16th Artist In History Of Cinema

The Little Mermaid fame music legend, Alan Menken earned EGOT status. The 71-year-old composer became the 16th artist to receive the honor. The composer was respected with Daytime Emmy for his work on Rapunzel's Tangled Adventures.

Lyricist Glenn Slater along with Menken won Best Original Song award for Waiting in the Wings. The song falls into the categories of young adults, animated program, and children. The composer is a part of an elite group that holds the EGOT status such as John Legend, Rita Moreno, Whoopi Goldberg, and other artists.

All the performers who hold the status have won one of Tony, Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy each. Menken's journey towards the EGOT started when he won Oscar awards for his music in 1990. He was honored with two awards for his work in The Little Mermaid.

It was one of the biggest hits of Disney among kids and young adults. In fact, the movie also received its first Grammy award in 1991. However, there was a long wait before he could place his hands on another award. The composer won Tony award in 2012 for his original score in Newsies.

It was the only Tony award the composer ever earned. However, he received Primetime Emmy back in the 90s. Menken finally earned the status of EGOT with the Daytime Emmy he received. Primetime Emmy is known to be high-profile awards in the club of Emmy.

Menken is one of those rare gems in Hollywood, who is celebrated as a songwriter and composer. Throughout his journey in the industry, Menken managed to earn eight Oscars and 11 Grammys. Alfred Newman is the only person who holds more Academy Awards for music and that makes Menken second in the race.

Some of the honorable mentions that Menken bagged Oscars for are Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Beauty and the Beast. Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Legend entered the EGOT status as they achieved all four awards in 2018.

His honorary Primetime Emmy was not counted for the status, which he created as a special against drugs for kids. It was a 30-minute short movie called Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue. In the movie, the composer made his contribution with Wonderful Ways to Say No song.

Although his contribution to the cause was highly appreciated by everyone in the industry, Emmy made it a non-competitive award for EGOT. Menken was almost close to getting the status of EGOT before Howard Ashman, his songwriter partner died in 1991 due to AIDS.