Oscars 2014: Robert Lopez joins EGOT club with ‘Frozen’ win

Songwriter Robert Lopez not only won his first Academy Award on Sunday evening but also became one of only 12 EGOTs — people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.

Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, claimed the Oscar for best original song for “Let It Go,” which they wrote for the hit Disney musical “Frozen.”

Lopez previously won three Tonys: for best original score for “Avenue Q” in 2004, as well as best book of a musical and best score for “The Book of Mormon” in 2012. He won Daytime Emmys in 2008 and 2010, both for music direction and composition for “The Wonder Pets.” His Grammy win came for best musical theater album for “The Book of Mormon” in 2012.

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Speaking to reporters backstage, Lopez seemed humble about joining the exclusive EGOT club, rarefied ranks that also include Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks and Whoopi Goldberg.

“I don’t really consider myself in that group,” he insisted. “I’m a collaborator.”

Anderson-Lopez would have none of that. She suddenly pulled out a cardboard, marker-covered pasta masterpiece reading “EGOT” that the couple’s two daughters had created, then tied it around her husband’s neck.

Given the couple’s big evening, one might think they’d be eager to party. Instead, Lopez said he and his wife were going to sleep and spend time with their young girls, who inspired the “Frozen” tune.

“We wanted to write a song that would instill in them the idea that fear and shame shouldn’t prevent them from being the magical people they really are,” Lopez said, his voice racked with emotion. And then he walked off, proudly donning his pasta creation.

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