‘Little Mermaid’ composer Alan Menken becomes 16th EGOT winner in history

27 July 2020, 16:54

Alan Menken, best known for his spectacular scores to Disney’s ‘Little Mermaid’, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Pocahontas’, has become only the 16th person in history to scoop the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony quartet of prizes.

Iconic Disney composer, Alan Menken, has just achieved EGOT status after taking home a Daytime Emmy.

The prestigious award was presented as part of the Best Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program category for Menken’s moving tune, ‘Waiting in the Wings’, which features in popular kids’ TV series, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures – and makes Menken the 16th person in history to receive the EGOT accolade.

The news was announced via Disney Channel PR’s Twitter account (see below) and marks a significant milestone in the American composer’s musical career.

Read more: Hildur Guðnadóttir is the first solo female winner of Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack >

In winning the award, the Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast composer joins the ranks of actress Whoopi Goldberg, dancer Rita Moreno and singer-songwriter John Legend, who have all been presented with all four Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

The 71-year-old composer’s infectiously catchy soundtrack for popular 1989 animated musical movie, The Little Mermaid, earned him two Oscars in 1990 and a Grammy the following year.

Featuring songs such as ‘Part of Your World’, ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Kiss the Girl’, the score was an instant hit and is still loved by music and film fans today.

Read more: Violinist Nicola Benedetti wins Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo >

Waiting in the Wings 🦋 | Music Video | Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Disney Channel

By 2012, the conductor, director and record producer had won a Tony award for Best Original Score, following his musical masterpiece for the $5m Broadway production, Newsies The Musical – inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York.

And despite taking home a Primetime Emmy in 1990 for The Little Mermaid, Menken’s EGOT status is only complete with his latest prize.

After hearing of the composer’s Daytime win, fans have been quick to share their messages of support on social media:

Congratulations, Alan Menken!