Watch ‘Rocketman’ Star Taron Egerton Perform ‘Tiny Dancer’ With the Real Elton John (Video)
Actor and singer shared the stage at John’s 27th annual Oscar viewing party on Sunday
Debbie Emery | February 25, 2019 @ 6:50 AM
Last Updated: February 25, 2019 @ 7:44 AM
Anyone wondering if Elton John approves of Taron Egerton being cast to play him in the upcoming biopic “Rocketman” got resounding confirmation when the pair shared the stage for a memorable performance of “Tiny Dancer” on Sunday night.
With the “Kingsman”star belting out the lyrics to the beloved ballad and John beside him on piano, the duet proved why the British actor was the perfect choice to play the five-time Grammy winner.
The beautiful moment occurred at the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party during a live auction for a trip to attend the “Rocketman” world premiere in London in May.
Egerton was brought from his dinner table onto the stage to amp up bidding on the exclusive experience and was then asked to perform one of the hit songs from the movie.
“But I need someone to play piano. Is there a pianist in the house?” he asked the audience. Cue John, who came up to join Egerton on the ivories, prompting a standing ovation from the surprised guests.
Egerton sat chatting on stage with John after the song was over, wearing a signature pair of oversized glasses and looking uncannily like the original Reginald Dwight.
Elton returned to role of accompaniment pianist later in the night when he performed “Daniel” during the The Killers’ rousing set.
John and David Furnish’s annual Oscar night gala has raised over $6.3 million on Sunday for the global effort to end AIDS. The auction also featured a Yahama piano signed and played by John at the “Lion King” 20th anniversary concert, studio sessions for the “Devil Wears Prada Musical” in Las Vegas and Toronto, as well as at this year’s Academy Awards Viewing Party.
Along with “Rocketman” stars Egerton and Jamie Bell, and director Dexter Fletcher, other VIP guests included Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mädchen Amick, Patricia Arquette, Alina Baikova, Jamie Bell, Thora Birch, Chad Buchanan, Candace Bushnell, Charlie Carver, Kristin Chenoweth, Erika Christensen, Chris Colfer, Chace Crawford, Terry Crews, Heidi Klum, Caitlyn Jenner, Lindsey Vonn, Gus Kenworthy and Rumer Willis.
“Rocketman” is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. Set to John’s most beloved songs, it tells the story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. The movie also stars Richard Madden, John Reid and Bryce Dallas Howard.
“Rocketman” lands in theaters May 31.
10 Stars Who Just Need an Emmy to EGOT, From Elton John to Stephen Sondheim (Photos)
The EGOT -- an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony -- is among the greatest and most elusive honors in entertainment. These stars are (or were) close to achieving it.
Henry Fonda, actor (1905-82) Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album, "Great Documents" (1977) Oscar: Best Actor, "On Golden Pond" (1981) Tony: Best Actor, "Mister Roberts" (1948); Best Actor, "Clarence Darrow" (1975)
Elton John, composer and musician (1947-) Grammy: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, "That's What Friends Are For" (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, "Basque" (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, "Candle in the Wind" (1997); Best Show Album, "Aida" (2000) Oscar: Best Original Son, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King" (1994) Tony: Best Score, "Aida" (2000)
Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960) Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, "The Sound of Music" (1960) Oscar: Best Original Song, "The Last Time I Saw Paris" from "Lady Be Good" (1941); "It Might As Well Be Spring" from "State Fair" (1945) Tony: Three awards for "South Pacific" (1950); Best Musical, "The King and I" (1952); Best Musical, "The Sound of Music" (1960)
Stephen Sondheim, composer and lyricist (1930-) Grammy: Best Show Album, "Company" (1970); Best Show Album, "A Little Night Music" (1973); Song of the Year, "Send in the Clowns" (1975); Best Show Album, "Sweeney Todd" (1979); Best Show Album, "Sunday in the Park With George" (1984); Best Cast Show Album, "Into the Woods" (1988); Best Show Album, "Passion" (1994); Oscar: Best Original Song, "Sooner Or Later (I Always Get My Man)" from "Dick Tracy" (1990) Tony: Best Musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," (1963); Best Score and Best Lyrics, "Company" (1971); Best Score, "Follies" (1972); Best Score, "A Little Night Music" (1973); Best Score, "Sweeney Todd" (1979); Best Score, "Into the Woods" (1988); Best Score, "Passion" (1994)
Alan Jay Lerner, lyricist and writer (1918-86) Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, "On a Clear Day" (1965) Oscar: Best Original Screenplay, "An American in Paris" (1951); Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song, "Gigi" (1958) Tony: Best Musical, "My Fair Lady" (1957); Best Original Score, "Gigi" (1974)
Frank Loesser, composer (1910-69) Grammy: Best Cast Album, "How to Succeed..." (1961) Oscar: Best Song, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from "Neptune's Daughter" (1949) Tony: Best Musical, "Guys and Dolls" (1951); Best Musical, "How to Succeed..." (1962)
Alan Menken, composer (1949-) Grammy: Best Recording for Children and Song for TV or Film, "The Little Mermaid" (1990); Best Recording for Children, Song for TV or Film, Instrumental for TV or Film, "Beauty and the Beast" (1992); Song of the Year, "A Whole New World," Best Recording for Children, Song for TV or Film, Instrumental for TV or Film, "Aladdin" (1993); Best Song for TV or Film, "Colors of the Wind" (1995); Best Song for Visual Medium, "I See the Light" (2011) Oscar: Best Score and Song, "The Little Mermaid" (1989); Best Score and Song, "Beauty and the Beast" (1991); Best Score and Song, "Aladdin" (1992); Best Score and Song, "Pocahontas" (1995) Tony: Best Score, "Newsies" (2012)
Jule Styne, composer and songwriter (1905-94) Grammy: Best Cast Album, "Funny Girl" (1964) Oscar: Best Song, "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954) Tony: Best Musical and Best Score, "Hallelujah Baby" (1968)
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, composers (both 1985 - ) Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album, "Dear Evan Hansen" (2018) Oscar: Best Original Song, "La La Land" (2017) Tony: Best Original Score, "Dear Evan Hansen" (2017)
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A select group of entertainers can round out their trophy cases with a competitive win from the Television Academy
The EGOT -- an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony -- is among the greatest and most elusive honors in entertainment. These stars are (or were) close to achieving it.
