Mike Nichols, Oscar-Winning Film Director, Dead at 83

Mike Nichols, the Oscar-winning director behind such classic films as The Graduate, Working Girl, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, has died at age 83.

Nichols, the husband of ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, reportedly died from cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, the director had been planning to team with Meryl Streep for an HBO production of Master Class, reuniting for the first time since Angels in America. No word on the future of the project now that Nichols has passed away.

Born in Germany as Mikhail Igor Peschkowsky, Nichols is one of only a few people to accomplish the "EGOT" -- winning Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. In particular, he earned four Emmys for his work on Wit and Angels In America, eight Tonys for his direction of such shows as 1977's Annie and 2005's Spamalot, a Grammy for Best Comedy Performance for An Evening With Mike Nichols And Elaine May, and an Oscar for Best Director for The Graduate.

This is a big loss for the industry, as Nichols was a unique talent with a wide and varied resume of successful films to bolster his legend. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Credit: Credit: WNET/American Masters

H/T: Entertainment Weekly