Hollywood Mourns the Loss of Mike Nichols
Meryl Streep and Mike Nichols in 2010
In the course of his long, storied career, Mike Nichols helmed 18 feature films, including classics like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Graduate. He also directed 18 actors who would go on to earn Oscar nominations for roles in his movies, and was one of the rare talents to score an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award (a.k.a. the “EGOT”). It’s not surprising then, to see an outpouring of tributes, remembrances, and gratitude from many of the writer-director’s famous friends and collaborators in the wake of his death at the age of 83 on Wednesday night. Here are some of them so far:
Meryl Streep (Silkwood, Heartburn, Postcards From the Edge, Angels in America): “An inspiration and joy to know, a director who cried when he laughed, a friend without whom, well, we can’t imagine our world, an indelible irreplaceable man.” [Deadline]
Tom Hanks (Charlie Wilson’s War): “Forward. We must always move forward. Otherwise what will become of us?” said Hanks. “Mike Nichols, who changed the lives of those who knew him, who loved him, who will miss him so.” [Variety]
Steven Spielberg: “Mike was a friend, a muse, a mentor, one of America’s all time greatest film and stage directors, and one of the most generous people I have ever known. For me, The Graduate was life altering — both as an experience at the movies as well as a master class about how to stage a scene. Mike had a brilliant cinematic eye and uncanny hearing for keeping scenes ironic and real. Actors never gave him less than their personal best — and then Mike would get from them even more. And in a room full of people, Mike was always the center of gravity. This is a seismic loss.” [EW]
Ron Howard: “RIP the Great Mike Nichols - elite member of the pantheon of directors whether stage screen or tv. Any conversation was rich w/wit & wisdom” [Twitter]
Related: Mike Nichols 1931-2014: His Most Memorable Movies
Kevin Spacey (Heartburn): “Mike Nichols gave me my start. A mentor, friend, colleague. One of the best observers of life. My thoughts are with Diane & his children.” [Twitter]
James L. Brooks: Everyone who knew Mike Nichols at all had this in common. (And this is hard truth.) We felt blessed for every moment we spent with him. God. [Twitter]
Hugh Jackman: “We lost the legendary Mike Nichols today. A pioneer of stage and film. A true visionary and a friend.” [Twitter]
Ben Stiller: Mike Nichols leaves behind a staggering body of work. He’s one of the best filmmakers and stage directors ever. Influenced everyone. #GENIUS [Twitter]
Matthew Modine: “A vision and voice like no other. Koo-koo-ka-choo Mr Nichols. RIP # MikeNichols“ [Twitter]
Larry King: “Devastated by the news of # MikeNichols passing. He directed me in “Primary Colors.” His talent was inimitable & I loved working with him RIP.” [Twitter]
Photo: AFP