Photo Coverage: Remembering Mike Nichols
By: Walter McBride Nov. 23, 2014
The Broadway community mourns the loss of acclaimed director, producer, writer, and performer Mike Nichols, who passed away on Wednesday evening at age 83. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York were dimmed in his memory on November 21st, at exactly 7:45pm for one minute. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at the last 30 or so years of his career.
Mike Nichols was among the most celebrated people in the history of show business, one of only a handful of people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. Mike Nichols has won more Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play than any other individual. His six nods were for Barefoot in the Park (1964), Luv and The Odd Couple (1965), Plaza Suite (1968), The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1972), The Real Thing (1984), and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman (2012). He has also won in other categories for directing the musical Monty Python's Spamalot (2005), and for producing Annie (1977) and The Real Thing (1984) under the company he founded, Icarus Productions, making it a total of nine Tony Award wins. He also received eight additional nominations.
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of the Broadway League, said, "Legendary director Mike Nichols shared his distinct genius for storytelling through the worlds of stage and film. Throughout his celebrated career in many mediums that spanned decades, he was always in awe of the thrill and the miracle that is theatre. In addition to his numerous honors, including nine Tony Awards, he won over audiences with his passion for art. His notable presence in our industry will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans."
Nichols started out on Broadway as a performer in An Evening With Mike Nichols and Elaine May, which he co-wrote with May. The show premiered in 1960 and ran for 306 performances. His full Broadway biography can be found on The Internet Broadway Database (ibdb.com) here.
He made his cinematic directorial debut directing Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and later won the Academy Award for his direction of "The Graduate."
Among his upcoming projects, Nichols was slated to helm a screen adaptation of Terrence McNally's Master Class starring Meryl Streep as Maria Callas.
Nichols was born in Germany in 1931. He is survived by his wife, Diane Sawyer; his three children Daisy, Max and Jenny; and four grandchildren.
Photo by Walter McBride.
Mike Nichols attends a performance of NICHOLAS, NICKLEBY at the Plymouth Theatre, New York City. September 1981
Cy Coleman and Mike Nichols attending a Theatre Benefit party in New York City. September 1981
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols wakling on West 56th Street after their Honeymoon in New York City.
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols walkingon West 56th Street after their Honeymoon in New York City.
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols caught kissing on West 56th Street after their Honeymoon in New York City.
Mike Nichols Attending a Memorial Service for Paddy Chayevsky in New York City. August 1, 1981.
Mike Nichols on 10/27/1984 in New York City.
Mike Nichols on 9/1/1995 in New York City.
Mike Nichols attends the Richard Avedon Book Parky at the NYC Public Library on 9/27/1996 in New York City.
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols attend HAIRSPRAY The Broadway Musical Opening Night at the Neil Simon Theatre Party at Roseland New York City August 15,2002
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols attendHAIRSPRAY The Broadway Musical Opening Night at the Neil Simon Theatre Party at Roseland New York City August 15,2002
Mike Nichols attends the Richard Avedon Book Parky at the NYC Public Library on 9/27/1996 in New York City.
Mike Nichols attends The Kennedy Center Presents The Sondheim Celebration Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center New York City October 21, 2002
'Spamalot' Theatre Marquee at the Shubert Theatre on January 8, 2004.
'Spamalot' Theatre Marquee at the Shubert Theatre on January 8, 2004.
'Spamalot' Theatre Marquee at the Shubert Theatre on January 8, 2004.
'Spamalot' Theatre Marquee at the Shubert Theatre on January 8, 2004.
Mike Nichols attending the STELLA by STARLIGHT black tie gala celebrating the legacy of Stella Adler and the presentation of the 2004 Stella Adler Studio of Acting Awards. The evening was held at the Grand Ballroom in the Pierre Hotel in New York City. November 8, 2004
Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night performance of Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. March 17, 2005
Mike Nichols attending the Opening Night performance of Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. March 17, 2005
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols attendind the opening night performance of the new musical "The Color Purple." December 1, 2005.
Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night performance of Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. March 17, 2005
Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night performance of Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. March 17, 2005
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols attending the opening night performance of the new musical "The Color Purple." December 1, 2005.
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Night Performance of the Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway Production of 110 IN THE SHADE at Studio 54 in New York City. May 9, 2007.
Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Nigh After Party Cast Photo Call for 110 IN THE SHADE at Studio 54 in New York City. May 9, 2007.
Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Night Performance of THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. December 3, 2007.
Mike Nichols & Tony Kushner arriving for the Opening Night Performance of THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. December 3, 2007.
Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Night Performance of THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. December 3, 2007.
'The Country Girl' Opening Night Theatre Marquee at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City..April 13, 2008.
Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night Performance After Party for THE COUNTRY GIRL at Tavern On The Green Restaurant in New York City, April 27, 2008
Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night Performance After Party for THE COUNTRY GIRL at Tavern On The Green Restaurant in New York City, April 27, 2008
Mike Nichols attending the Opening Night Performance After Party for THE COUNTRY GIRL at Tavern On The Green Restaurant in New York City, April 27, 2008
Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer attending the Opening Night Performance After Party for THE COUNTRY GIRL at Tavern On The Green Restaurant in New York City, April 27, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for The Public Theater's Annual Gala honoring David Rockwell and The Opening Night Performance of HAMLET at Shakespeare In The Park, Delacorte Theater Central Park, New York City. June 17, 2008
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Mike Nichols arriving for the Opening Performance of TWELFTH NIGHT at shakespeare in The Park with a Gala Dinner Honoring Mike Nichols & Susan Lyne. June 25, 2009
Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer arriving for the Opening Night Performance of WEST SIDE STORY at the Palace Theatre in New York City. March 19, 2009
Diane Sawyer & Mike Nichols arriving for the 34th Kennedy Center Honors Presentation at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on December 4, 2011
Theatre Marquee for "Death Of A Salesman" at The Barrymore Theatre New York City on 3/15/2012.
Mike Nichols leaving the Stage Door after the Opening Night Performance of "Death Of A Salesman" at The Barrymore Theatre New York City on 3/15/2012.
Mike Nichols leaving the Stage Door after the Opening Night Performance of "Death Of A Salesman" at The Barrymore Theatre New York City on 3/15/2012.
Mike Nichols leaving the Stage Door after the Opening Night Performance of "Death Of A Salesman" at The Barrymore Theatre New York City on 3/15/2012.
Andrew Garfield presents award to Mike Nichols at the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards at Angus McIndoe in New York City on 5/14/2012.
Andrew Garfield presents award to Mike Nichols at the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards at Angus McIndoe in New York City on 5/14/2012.
Andrew Garfield presents award to Mike Nichols.at the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards at Angus McIndoe in New York City on 5/14/2012.
TimesTalks - A Conversation with Mike Nichols & Charles McGrath at the Times Center in New York City on 5/7/2012.
TimesTalks - A Conversation with Mike Nichols & Charles McGrath at the Times Center in New York City on 5/7/2012.
TimesTalks - A Conversation with Mike Nichols & Charles McGrath at the Times Center in New York City on 5/7/2012.
TimesTalks - A Conversation with Mike Nichols & Charles McGrath at the Times Center in New York City on 5/7/2012.
TimesTalks - A Conversation with Mike Nichols & Charles McGrath at the Times Center in New York City on 5/7/2012.
Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer attending the 66th Annual Tony Awards held at The Beacon Theatre in New York City , New York on June 10, 2012.
Mike Nichols attending the The 27th Annual Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Casting in New York City.
Mike Nichols & Whoopi Goldberg.attending the The 27th Annual Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Casting in New York City.
Opening Night Theatre Marquee for 'Betrayal' at the Barrymore Theatre on October 27, 2013 in New York City.
Opening Night Theatre Marquee for 'Betrayal' at the Barrymore Theatre on October 27, 2013 in New York City.
Opening Night Theatre Marquee for 'Betrayal' at the Barrymore Theatre on October 27, 2013 in New York City.
Mike Nichols attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Lucky Guy' at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City on 4/01/2013
Mike Nichols.attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance for 'The Normal Heart' in New York City.
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