American fictionCliff Ellison, the flamboyant surgeon brother of Jeffrey Wright's Monk, who is letting his strange flag fly as a newly out gay man after divorcing his wife, ranks high among Sterling K. Brown's best performances, giving him earned the actor his first Oscar nomination. But will he be the one to get the multifaceted talent that EGOT coveted?
Of course, that “EGOT” distinction is awarded to those illustrious few who have won the four highest awards in American performing arts: the Emmy, the Grammy, the Oscar and the Tony. Most recent recipients of the honor include music icon Elton John (in 2024), acting legend Viola Davis (in 2023), and world-famous talk show host and belt Jennifer Hudson (in 2022). Brown, who excels on both stage and screen, recently revealed his desire to one day join the EGOT winners with some additional trophies. He said The Hollywood Reporter:
After you get a few Emmys or something, you realize, okay, that's a quarter of the way to the EGOT, let's see if we can find ways to get the others. But I didn't think it was necessarily going to be about this role or this movie. I am fully aware that it is a marathon and not a sprint. I'm here for a long time. And the fact that the nomination came with this project is very satisfying because I think the project is fantastic. I think what Cord did with this script and with this film is absolutely wonderful in terms of expanding the collective consciousness and imagination of what black life can be on screen. I was happy to be a part of this and see the film recognized and Jeffrey recognized. I didn't think it was going to be my turn, but I would love to one day, if I'm lucky enough, be considered among the people who get the EGOT. I wouldn't be angry.
The 47-year-old actor already has some high-profile awards under his belt. He has three Primetime Emmy Awards: the first, a supporting actor award in 2016 for his performance as Christopher Darden in American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson,. He followed this up with a lead actor trophy a year later for his role as Randall Pearson on the beloved NBC drama. We are, and most recently in 2021 as a Featured Storyteller by Lincoln: divided we are. She also earned Emmy nominations for her work in Brooklyn nine nine and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
In his metaphorical mantle, he also has a Golden Globe, a Critics' Choice and several SAG awards, both individually and jointly, for his work in This is us and another SAG as part of the Black Panther cast.
Given his popularity with awards bodies, it would be a safe bet that Brown will see several more awards in his professional future, but he also has good faith to back it up. In addition to being an acclaimed actor, the guy can really sing, as he demonstrated in both. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as Frozen II. A stage musical with a handy little cast album should be more than enough to get you a Tony and a Grammy!
You'll be able to see if Sterling K. Brown will add an Oscar to his already considerable Emmy collection, and get halfway to that EGOT acronym, when the 96th Academy Awards take place on March 10.
