‘Birdcage,’ ‘Angels in America,’ And ‘The Graduate’ Director Mike Nichols Dead At 83

Mike Nichols, director of iconic films and made-for-TV miniseries, including “The Graduate,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” “Catch-22,” and many others, died unexpectedly.

He was one of just twelve people in the world to ever have won all four major entertainment awards – the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony – known as EGOT award winners. Mike Nichols died Wednesday evening, unexpectedly, at the age of 83.

Best-known as a director, his list of works includes 22 films and 30 Broadway productions.

Angels in America, The Birdcage, Working Girl, Catch-22, The Graduate, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? are among his most famous films. 

Death of a Salesman, The Apple Tree, Sunday in the Park with George, Annie, Plaza Suite, The Odd Couple, and Barefoot in the Park are among his best-known Broadway works.

“Dryly urbane, Mr. Nichols had a gift for communicating with actors and a keen comic timing, which he honed early in his career as half of the popular sketch-comedy team Nichols and May,” the New York Times writes. “He accomplished what Orson Welles and Elia Kazan, but few if any other directors have: He achieved popular and artistic success in both theater and film.”

Nichols won four Emmys, a Grammy, an Oscar, and nine Tonys.

He was married to ABC News’ Diane Sawyer.

Here’s a clip from Angels in America:

 

Image via Wikimedia