RIP Mike Nichols

One of my favorite directors has passed away. Mike Nichols won the highest honors in the arts for his work as a director, writer, producer and comic and was one of a tiny few to win the EGOT-an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony in his lifetime. In an old post, I wrote about Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, my all-time favorite movie based on Edward Albee's brilliant play.

The director of The Graduate and Death of a Salesman started as a performer, but quickly built a career offstage as one of entertainment's most-honored creative leaders.

On a movie set or Broadway stage, Mike Nichols excelled at building iconic dramatic scenes. In the 1971 film Carnal Knowledge, he bounced reluctant boyfriend Jack Nicholson off needy lover Ann-Margret.

Nichols' skills made instant classics of plays like Neil Simon's The Odd Couple and films such as The Graduate and Silkwood. He started as a performer with actress/writer Elaine May, but Nichols greatest work was as a director.

Martha: I swear if you existed I'd divorece you.

Busting a gut!