Director Mike Nichols has died at the age of 83, it's been confirmed today. Nichols is a huge loss to Hollywood, with the director at the helm for some of the most iconic movies of the 80s and 90s.
The death was confirmed by ABC News President James Goldston on Thursday, with the star suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday evening. Nichols, who was married to ABC's Diane Sawyer, had a career spanning 50 years and pretty much every genre of the arts. In fact he's one of only 12 stars to win all four major US entertainment awards - an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. On Broadway, he won nine Tonys, for directing such classics as Barefoot in the Park (1964) and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman (2012). He also picked up Emmys for his work on Wit and Angels in America as well as a lifetime-achievement award from the Directors Guild of America in 2004. Not familiar with Nichols' work? Check out these eight must-see movies from the legend.
1. Closer
This 2004 all-star drama was one of Nichols' last but even in his 70s the director hadn't lost his touch for bringing together some of Hollywood's biggest icons and showing their darker sides through his trademark themes of adultery and corruption. Based on the 1997 play of the same name Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen and Natlie Portman star as a tangled quartet. The movie won Golden Globes for Natalie and Owen as well as a string of Oscar nods.
2. Primary Colors
If you want an insight into US politics Primary Colors is a must-see. Based on the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton in the early 90s, this 1998 film starred John Travolta and Emma Thompson as the ambitious first couple in waiting. It may not have wowed the box office but Nichols' unflinching spotlight on 90s politics is unbeatable.
3. The Birdcage
Adapted from the French farce La Cage aux Folles, The Birdcage is a masterclass in adapting theatre for the big screen. Robin Williams and Gene Hackman play father-in-laws about to be introduced thanks to their offsprings' sudden engagement. One's a Republican senator, the other the owner of a drag club in Miami. Nathan Lane steals the film as Robin's partner. "I PIERCED THE TOAST!"
4. Postcards from the Edge
One of many notable team-ups with Meryl Streep, Nichols' bought Star Wars star Carrie Fisher's semi-autobiographical novel to the big screen. Meryl takes the role of daughter to Shirley MacClaine, with the troubled relationship of two generations of actresses based on Carrie's own experiences with her mother Debbie Reynolds.
5. Working Girl
80s personified. Melanie Griffith is all shoulder pads and perm as secreatry Tess McGill. The iconic opening scene, Carly Simon soundtrack and Harrison Ford as the love interest are just three of the highlights.
6. Heartburn
The hugely talented Nora Ephron adapted her own semi-autobiographical book into a screenplay for Nichols to direct. Meryl also stars in this one, alongside a brilliant turn from Jack Nicholson. It's all about marriage and adultery again but the sparkling script and Meryl and Jack's sizzling chemistry stand it out from the crowd. And look out for Kevin Spacey's on screen debut, he plays a street thug.
7. The Graduate
Being a wealthy, educated man himself didn't stop Nichols' taking aim at his peers, with The Graduate the perfect example. The 1967 film shot Dustin Hoffman to fame thanks to the icnoic scenes with Anne Bancroft's Mrs Robinson. Nichols himself would say that he identified with Hoffman's awkward Benjamin Braddock, and that on-the-money character study won Nichols the best director Oscar.
8. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Amazingly this was Nichols' directing debut back in 1966 but it still goes down in history for unforgettably capturing the breakdown of a marriage. Based oin Edward Albee's play, real life rollercoaster couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor starred, with the movie going on to become one of only two films to be nominated in every eligible category at the Academy Awards.
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