“Directing is mystifying. It's a long, long, skid on an icy road, and you do the best you can trying to stay on the road... If you're still here when you come out of the spin, it's a relief. But you've got to have the terror if you're going to do anything worthwhile.”

American film and theatre director and comedian

Mike Nichols was an American film and theatre director and comedian. He worked in the 20th and early 21st centuries, and became known for his range across genres and for drawing strong performances from actors of all levels of experience. His films earned 42 Academy Award nominations and seven wins. He was also one of the few people to win the four major American entertainment awards, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Among his other honors were three BAFTA Awards, the Lincoln Center Gala Tribute in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2010.