Kendrick, Streep & More React to News of Mike Nichols' Passing; Updating Live

BWW earlier reported the sad news that EGOT winner and entertainment icon Mike Nichols passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 19th at the age of 83. (Read story and complete bio here)

His death was announced in a statement by ABC News President James Goldston: "He was a true visionary, winning 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," he added, "No one was more passionate about his craft than Mike."

Nichols is survived by his wife, ABC News Anchor Diane Sawyer, children Daisy, Max and Jenny, and four grandchildren.

Friends and colleagues have already turned to Twitter to express their sorrow at the unexpected news. BWW will continue to update the reactions as they are posted.

Kevin Spacey: Mike Nichols gave me my start. A mentor, friend, colleague. One of the best observers of life. My thoughts are with Diane & his children.

Norm Lewis: Sad to hear this, a brilliant man "@WNTonight Breaking: Entertainment icon Mike Nichols has died at age 83 http://abcn.ws/1xsHEsQ "

Michael Urie: Mike Nichols had no wheelhouse, he invented the wheel. RIP.

Julianne Moore: So very sad to hear of Mike Nichols death. A great talent, a wonderful, bright, charming human being.

Corey Cott: Wow. RIP to Mike Nichols. One of the greats. Thank you for inspiring all of us so deeply.

David Lindsay Abaire: "The only safe thing is to take a risk." - Mike Nichols (RIP)

Ralph Macchio: Mike Nichols - legendary storyteller, iconic director, RIP. So many brilliant pieces of his stage and screen legacy. Too many to list.

Steven Pasquale: RIP Mike Nichols. A great one lost.

Jason Robert Brown: I've never seen any evidence to the contrary, so I'll say that no one was smarter or better at making theatre come alive than Mike Nichols.

Daryl Roth: Sadness and Loss Rest in Peace Mike Nichols.

Audra McDonald: I'm absolutely heartbroken. RIP Mike Nichols. I love you.

Robert Lopez: Rip Mike Nichols. #genius

Tony Goldwyn: RIP #MikeNichols What a gigantic loss!!! The greatest of the great.

Ron Howard: RIP the Great Mike Nichols - elite member of the pantheon of directors whether stage screen or tv. Any conversation was rich w/wit & wisdom

Josh Gad: I am beyond sad to learn that #MikeNichols has passed. From The Graduate to Birdcage to Spamalot to his comedy albums, he truly was a Titan.

Harvey Fierstein: Mike Nichols - Never heard him sing opera but he had the rest of show biz conquered. Writer, performer, director extraordinaire. A sweetie.

Connie Britton: Thank you Mike Nichols. And here's to you Mrs. Robinson. RIP

Keala Settle: No way....Mike Nichols? Wooooow. Losing a great mind in our field. Thank you for the gift of your incredible talent. #RIPMikeNichols

Michael Mayer: RIP Mike Nichols. A great artist who inspired so many of us with his incredible wit and humanity. One of a kind.

Donna Murphy: RIP Mike Nichols.Genius.Gentleman.Raised the level of heart,humor,artistry,intelligence in any room. Love/Blessings to his family/loved ones

Zoe Kazan: it seems impossible that mike nichols is gone. a hero to me and so many. what an enormous loss.

Erich Bergen: RIP to the brilliant Mike Nichols. What a cool guy and what a resume.

Bruce Campbell: @GroovyBruce entertainthis.usatoday.com/2014/11/20/5-m... Big loss. Incredible director.

@joshgroban: Mike Nichols was a true visionary. So sad to hear of his passing this morning.

@kerrywashington: One of the absolute greatest. RIP. Mike Nichols.

@Matt_Morrison: Mike Nichols..A legend never dies. When I was struggling young actor, Mike gave me the advice to help me continue on my path. 4ever Grateful

@TheRealAnnaCamp: Thankyou To the Legendary Mike Nichols for directing me in my Broadway debut. I am forever grateful. pic.twitter.com/A6vdhDkUIW

@MattBomer: Mike Nichols-you are one of the all time greats. A deeply kind soul, and an incredible artist. You will be greatly missed. RIP sir.

@woodelijah: we've lost one of the greats. rest in peace, Mike Nichols

@oliviamunn: We lost a legend today. RIP Mike Nichols. You made your mark on this world, and damned if it wasn't a fantastic one at that.

Michael McGrath @mcgrathbway: Mike Nichols gave me so much. Just sad. Sleep well "dear boy".

@JennColella: Sending deepest sympathy and love to @DianeSawyer and the entire family of the late great Mike Nichols. #RIPMikeNichols #atruelegend

@JohnJpshanley The great ones are all slowly but surely dying, aging does that to U, we will always have #TheGraduate farewell #MikeNichols

@Lin_Manuel: Mike Nichols is a genius who uses his powers to make us laugh and cry and think and feel more alive. I don't want to apply the past tense. @WillChaseMe: Thoughts to all who knew and loved Mike Nichols.

@MiaFarrow: Funniest, smartest, most generous, wisest, kindest of all. Mike Nichols, a truly good man

@andymientus: RIP Mike Nichols. Tremendous loss to our community and our art. Thank God we have your work forever.

@katiecouric: So sad to learn of the death of Mike Nichols. My heart goes out to Diane, their families & everyone who marveled at his brilliance.

Steve Kazee: My time with Mike Nichols at Spamalot I consider to be some of the most valuable time of my life. He was truly a genius. More than that...

Andrea Martin @iamandreamartin: NO, Mike Nichols,Please don't say he is gone. Much more 2 give the world. Nichols&May, where improv was born.Genius creator & man. whataloss

Marilu Henner @TheRealMarilu: Mike Nichols was a director who inspired you to do your best & created a working environment that let it happen. #NoOneBetter

Marin Mazzie @MarinMazzie: Mike Nichols RIP. What an extraordinary genius you were. So blessed to have worked with you. So deeply sad you are gone.

Hank Azaria @HankAzaria: I wish I could capture in 140 characters what a wonderful man Mike Nichols was, and how much I loved him and his work. I will truly miss him

Pee-wee Herman @peeweeherman: Brilliant, visionary filmmaker Mike Nichols, changed film & gave us some of the best, R.I.P. tasteofcinema.com/2014/12-essent... pic.twitter.com/4WtXdKHhrc

Craig Zadan @craigzadan: Mike Nichols was equally talented, generous, smart and kind. It was an honor to know him.

Michael Arden @michaelarden: RIP Mike Nichols. You were the very best. Your work has and will continue to inspire forever. Thank you for the tremendous charge.

Lesli Margherita @QueenLesli: I was lucky enough to have worked with Mike Nichols. Amazing man, amazing life. He will be missed. #RIPMikeNichols

Clay Aiken @clayaiken: The best of all I've gotten to do was the blessing of working with Mike Nichols. Heaven now has one of the most brilliant, funniest angels.

Kevin McHale @druidDUDE: So sad to hear about the passing of Mike Nichols. What an incredible talent! Truly a legend and innovator. Thoughts are w/ @DianeSawyer

Marlee Matlin @MarleeMatlin: RIP Mike Nichols. I've always admirered his work & talent. A TRUE American icon. My thoughts & prayers to @DianeSawyer family & friends.

Nia Vardalos @NiaVardalos: Mike Nichols, you funny, generous, kind, silly man, you exited the stage too soon. #RIP

Hugh Jackman @RealHughJackman: We lost the legendary Mike Nichols today. A pioneer of stage and film. A true visionary and a friend.

Vincent D'Onofrio @vincentdonofrio: Mike Nichols . A giant in filmmaking . Completely unique in his style and point of view . He will be missed . pic.twitter.com/tv6GPVAvbT

christopher sieber @therealsieber: Mike Nichols,my friend,the man who taught me how to be funny,really funny, has left the theatre,I am heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/fLGLrOEhfP

Brent Spiner @BrentSpiner: Mike Nichols. A giant.

The Tony Awards @TheTonyAwards: Audio of #MikeNichols's 1965 #TonyAwards acceptance speech for LUV and THE ODD COUPLE, courtesy @TheWing: soundcloud.com/american-theat...

Kate Bosworth @katebosworth:Truly, one of the greats. You will be deeply missed Mike Nichols. instagram.com/p/voPp-srcbb/

KevinSmith @ThatKevinSmith: Dammit... Mike Nichols died. I loved him & Elaine May but I was a big fan of his film work. Will watch THE GRADUATE today to honor a Master.

Keith Olbermann @KeithOlbermann: RIP Mike Nichols. I was a gushing fan: of his films, of his work w/Elaine May; especially Catch-22.This is on my wall moby.to/1ff842

Steve Carell @SteveCarell:So sad to hear about the death of Mike Nichols. He was a creative giant.

Eric Idle @EricIdle: I am heartbroken at the loss of my friend and mentor Mike Nichols. My heart goes out to Diane and his kids & everyone who knew and loved him

Ron Perlman @perlmutations: Mike Nichols: a director who found the zeitgeist in every decade flip.it/HiCZu

Eric Stonestreet @ericstonestreet: RIP Mike Nichols.

Michael McKean @MJMcKean: RIP Mike Nichols #Irreplaceable

Martha Plimpton @MarthaPlimpton: Rest in Peace, you brilliant, giant, hilarious, empathic man. We've lost a father. Mike Nichols. youtube.com/watch?v=N5pXgg...

Rory O'Malley @RoryOMalley: From THE GRADUATE on film to SALESMAN on Broadway, Mike Nichols directed some of the greatest pieces of art I've ever seen. RIP Mr. Nichols.

Meryl Streep: "An inspiration and joy to know, a director who cried when he laughed, a friend without whom, well, we can't imagine our world, an indelible irreplaceable man" (worked with Nichols on "Silkwood," "Heartburn" and the HBO adaptation of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America.")

Tom Hanks: "Forward. We must always move forward. Otherwise what will become of us?" said Hanks. "Mike Nichols, who changed the lives of those who knew him, who loved him, who will miss him so." (worked with Nichols on political comedy "Charlie Wilson's War")

Anna Kendrick @AnnaKendrick47: And then sometimes you get off a plane and find out Mike Nichols has passed. Legend. RIP.

Jenna Elfman @JennaElfman: RIP Mr. Mike Nichols. Thank you for all of your stunning storytelling. Come back soon. xo whosay.com/l/itx9Gc2

Meredith Vieira @meredithvieira: So sad to hear of Mike Nichols' passing. Such a talented man. My heart goes out to @DianeSawyer and the Nichols family.

Molly Ringwald @MollyRingwald: What a loss. Loved his improv, films, and just the guy. mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/mov...

Hanks/ Streeps Source: Variety

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.