WATCH: Julia Roberts in the film Closer and director Mike Nichols' other works. He died, aged 83
Tributes poured in for Oscar-winning director Mike Nichols, the creative force behind countless classic American films and plays including The Graduate.
He died on Wednesday (Nov 19) aged 83.
ABC said Nichols died of cardiac arrest.
The legendary filmmaker directed nearly two dozen movies in all, among them the timeless Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and lighter fare with a contemporary edge like Working Girl.
Nichols is one of the rare figures in American entertainment to have earned an EGOT, having been honored with at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award.
“This is a seismic loss,” said fellow director 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.”
Nichols was a member of American entertainment royalty, being married for many years to celebrated ABC television news presenter Diane Sawyer.
Photos: AFP, Reuters
Meryl Streep, who worked several times with Nichols, called him “an inspiration and joy to know... a friend without whom, well, we can’t imagine our world, an indelible irreplaceable man.”
Many other celebrities took to social media to pay their tributes to the late director.
The Nichols family will hold a small, private service for him later this week, and a memorial service at a later date.
Here are some of Mike Nichols' most popular movies:
- Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
- The Graduate (1967)
- Working Girl (1988)
- The Birdcage (1996)
- Wit (2001)
- Closer (2004)
Sources: AFP, Twitter, YouTube
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now