Recording Academy Issues Statement on Passing of Mike Nichols

By: Caryn Robbins Nov. 21, 2014

Yesterday, BWW reported the sad news that legendary director Mike Nichols passed away on Wednesday, November 19th at the age of 83. Today, The Recording Academy issued the following statement on his passing:

GRAMMY® winner Mike Nichols was one of the world's most celebrated directors who achieved great success in both film and theater. In addition to being a GRAMMY Award winner, Nichols also received multiple Emmy, Oscar and Tony Awards, making him one of the most decorated figures in the entertainment industry. A highly accomplished visionary with a career that spanned more than six decades, Nichols was also a gifted producer and comedian.

Nichols' knack for impeccable comedic timing paired with unmatched passion for his craft earned him a stellar reputation as countless high-profile stars longed to work with him. We have lost a brilliant member of our creative community, and our sympathies go out to his family, his friends, and all who have benefited from and have been moved by his extraordinary talent.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy

Nichols is in that small circle of artists to have won the Oscar, the Tony, the Emmy and the Grammy. Among his many celebrated credits, he has directed the films WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THE GRADUATE, CATCH 22, CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, SILKWOOD, HEARTBURN, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE, WORKING GIRL, CLOSER, THE BIRDCAGE, and CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR.

His television directing credits include WIT and HBO's ANGELS IN AMERICA.

His Broadway directing credits include the recent revival of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, LUV, THE ODD COUPLE, PLAZA SUITE, THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, THE REAL THING AND SPAMALOT, for all of which he was awarded the Tony for Best Direction. Other Broadway directing credits include, 1968's THE LITTLE FOXES and 1967's THE APPLE TREE.

His performance partnership with Elaine May was one of the most influential collaborations in the history of American comedy, and culminated in a nine-month Broadway run at the Golden Theatre in 1960-61.

Most recently he was collaborating with HBO to adapt Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play MASTER CLASS, to the small screen. The project, which is to star Nichols' frequent collaborator Meryl Streep in the role of opera legend Maria Callas, was set to begin production in January.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos