InFrame

Elton John Reunites with 'Rocketman' Star Taron Egerton for Surprise 79th Birthday Lunch

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 16: Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton attend the photocall for "Rocketman" during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019 in Cannes, France. Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole

by Chris Tremblay  Mar 27

Sir Elton John, the iconic British musician, celebrated his 79th birthday on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with a surprise lunch alongside Taron Egerton, the actor who starred as him in the 2019 biopic Rocketman.

The reunion took place in London, where John described the gathering as a "brilliant birthday surprise" in a social media post shared on Instagram. John, who turned 79, posted a photo of the two smiling together at the lunch table, captioning it to express his joy at seeing his "Rocketman" once again.

Egerton, known for his Oscar-nominated performance as the openly gay singer-songwriter in Rocketman, responded warmly to the post, underscoring their close relationship forged during the film's production. The biopic, directed by Dexter Fletcher, offered an unflinching portrayal of John's life, including his struggles with addiction, his coming out as a gay man in 1976, and his marriage to David Furnish in 2005 after civil partnership in 2005. This authentic depiction earned praise from LGBTQ+ advocates for humanizing the experiences of gay men in the public eye.

John, a longstanding ally and icon for transgender people and the broader LGBTQ+ community, has used his platform to support initiatives like the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised billions for HIV prevention and treatment globally. The surprise lunch, arranged discreetly for the birthday, reflects the personal bonds that extend beyond the screen, with John noting in his post how meaningful it was to reunite with Egerton amid his ongoing farewell tour and recent biographical projects.

Within LGBTQ+ circles, the event sparked positive reactions on social media, with fans celebrating the duo's friendship as a symbol of acceptance and artistic collaboration. Rocketman's success, grossing over $195 million worldwide, helped normalize queer narratives in mainstream cinema, contributing to greater visibility for gay and bisexual men. Egerton, who is straight but immersed himself in John's story, has spoken in interviews about the role's impact on his understanding of LGBTQ+ histories.

The birthday milestone comes as John, married to film producer David Furnish since 2014, continues to influence music and philanthropy. Their shared photo, showing relaxed camaraderie over lunch, went viral quickly, amassing thousands of likes and comments from fans worldwide. Community responses highlighted the reunion's heartwarming nature, with many noting how such moments affirm the lasting alliances formed through storytelling about LGBTQ+ lives.

This event, occurring just one day prior to reports on March 26, underscores John's enduring cultural presence at 79, blending personal celebration with his legacy as a gay trailblazer in music. No further details on the lunch's menu or additional attendees were disclosed, maintaining the intimate tone of the surprise. The story, confirmed across entertainment outlets, celebrates a friendship rooted in one of cinema's most pivotal queer biopics.


Copyright EDGE Media Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Challenging NDA in Prior Sexual Battery Settlement as Illegal

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) FKA twigs attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Amy Sussman

by Chris Tremblay  Mar 27

Los Angeles-based singer FKA twigs, legally known as Tahliah Barnett, filed a lawsuit on March 25, 2026, against actor Shia LaBeouf in Los Angeles Superior Court, challenging the legality of a non-disclosure agreement included in their prior sexual battery settlement. The suit stems from a 2020 lawsuit where twigs accused LaBeouf of physical and emotional abuse during their 2018-2019 relationship, including choking her, slamming her against a car, and knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.

Pirates Ace Paul Skenes Gets Chased in the 1st Inning by the Mets on Opening Day

The crowd cheers and jeers as Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) exits the field after he was relieved in the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

by Stephen Whyno  Mar 27

Paul Skenes thought he could get out of a jam in the first inning on opening day.

Tom Brady Says He's Weighed Coming Out of Retirement, But the NFL Doesn't Like the Idea

Founders FFC's Tom Brady reacts to a call made by the referee against the U.S. National Flag team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

by The Associated Press  Mar 27

Tom Brady revealed in an interview released on Thursday that he considered coming out of retirement, but the National Football League wasn't particularly receptive to the idea.

The Oscars Are Leaving Hollywood

An Oscar statue appears at the 91st Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo Credit: Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP, File

by Andrew Dalton  Mar 27

The Oscars are leaving Hollywood.

'Two Prosecutors' Is a Perfect Nightmare of State Corruption

This image released by Janus Films shows Alexander Kuznetsov in a scene from "Two Prosecutors." Photo Credit: Janus Films via AP

by Jake Coyle  Mar 26

Sergei Loznitsa’s “Two Prosecutors” is a nightmare of government corruption so perfectly composed that, by the time it reaches its chilling conclusion, you feel nearly as entrapped as its young protagonist.

Malinin Rebounds From Olympics at the Worlds With a Personal-Best Short Program

Ilia Malinin from the United States competes during the men's short program at the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, March 26, 2026. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

by Karel Janicek  Mar 26

Ilia Malinin bounced back from misfiring at the Milan-Cortina Olympics by leading after the short program at the figure skating world championships on Thursday.

Women's Flag Football Has Basketball Players Trading Sneakers for Cleats Ahead of 2028 LA Games

LSU guard Kailyn Gilbert (16) goes to the basket against Florida State guard O'Mariah Gordon (3) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 24, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File

by Pat Graham  Mar 26

A year ago, point guard O'Mariah Gordon was leading Florida State into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Fetty Wap Has a Lot to Say on 'Zavier.’ It’s His First Album Since Being Released From Prison

Fetty Wap Poses for a portrait on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in New York. Photo Credit: Photo by Matt Licari/Invision/AP

by Maria Sherman  Mar 26

Fetty Wap is beaming so big, it is almost as if his smile enters the room before he does. And these days, the Paterson, New Jersey-born melodic rapper and singer has a lot to be happy about.

Bill Maher Will Win the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Humor Prize Following White House Denial

Bill Maher arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

by Steven Sloan  Mar 26

Bill Maher will win the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center said Thursday, less than a week after the White House forcefully denied that the comedian, who has had a hot-and-cold relationship with President Donald Trump, would win it.