“Discover 17 Surprising Grammy Winners You Didn’t Know”

The Grammy Awards are known for honoring top musicians, but they also recognize a diverse range of talents. From comedians to political leaders, many surprising figures have won Grammys over the years. Below is a list of 17 unexpected Grammy winners you may not know about.

Unexpected Grammy Winners

• Martin Luther King Jr. – Awarded posthumously in 1971 for his anti-war speech, “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam.”
• Lily Tomlin – Won Best Comedy Recording in 1972 for her iconic album, “This Is A Recording.”
• Steve Martin – Garnered five Grammys since 1978, including awards for Best American Roots Song.
• Zach Braff – Won a Grammy in 2005 for the “Garden State” soundtrack.
• Joaquin Phoenix – Recognized for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for “Walk the Line.”
• Bill Clinton – Won two Grammys, one in 2004 for “Peter and the Wolf: Wolf Tracks” and another in 2005 for his memoir “My Life.”
• Hillary Rodham Clinton – Awarded a Grammy in 1997 for “It Takes a Village.”
• Orson Welles – Three-time winner for works including “Great American Documents.”
• Weird Al Yankovic – Secured five Grammys for his parody songs, including hits like “Eat It.”
• Magic Johnson – Honored with a Grammy in 1993 for his advocacy work in HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Stephen Colbert – Won two Grammys, including one in 2010 for “A Colbert Christmas.”
• Barack Obama – Awarded Grammys for “Dreams From My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope.”
• Michelle Obama – Won two Grammys for her memoirs “Becoming” (2020) and “The Light We Carry” (2024).
• Maya Angelou – Three-time winner, including for “On the Pulse of Morning.”
• Betty White – Awarded a Grammy in 2012 for her autobiography “If You Ask Me.”
• Carrie Fisher – Recognized posthumously in 2018 for “The Princess Diarist.”
• Jimmy Carter – Winner of four Grammys for various works, including “Faith — A Journey For All.”

Conclusion

The Grammy Awards celebrate not only the music industry but also the contributions of individuals from various fields. These winners highlight the broad reach and influence of the awards, showcasing talent that extends beyond traditional music categories. Discovering these surprising Grammy winners expands our appreciation for the diversity of artistry acknowledged by the Recording Academy.