The Graduate

Background:

Director, producer and writer Mike Nichols is one of only 12 people to have won all the major American entertainment awards (Grammy, Tony, Oscar and Emmy). The college dropout first achieved prominence as part of the comedy duo Mike Nichols and Elaine May, who were popular in the early 1960s thanks to their successful Broadway debut “An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May.” The comedy album version brought the pair a Grammy Award in 1961. After parting ways with May, Nichols went on to gain recognition as the director of Broadway productions like “Barefoot in the Park” (1963), “Luv” (1964), “The Odd Couple” (1965), “Plaza Suite” (1968), “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (1971), “Annie” (1977) and “The Real Thing” (1984). He has won Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play five times and a Tony for Best Musical and Best Play once. He also nabbed a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for his work on “Spamalot” (2005). Nichols won his Academy Award for directing “The Graduate” (1967), from which he also took home a Golden Globe Award, two BAFTA Film Awards, a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award and a New York Film Critics Circle Award. He also netted Oscar nominations as the director of “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (1966), “Silkwood” (1983) and “Working Girl” (1988) and for producing “The Remains of the Day” (1993). On the small screen, Nichols won Emmy Awards for directing and producing the TV film “Wit” (2001) and the TV miniseries “Angels in America” (2003).

Recently, in 2010, Nichols was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute Award. He also received a Golden Apple Award from the Casting Society of America (2007), a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America (2004), a Kennedy Center Honors (2003), a Career Tribute Award from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (2000), a Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center (1999) and a Creative Achievement Award from the American Comedy Award (1994).

Nichols has been married four times. He has one daughter with his second wife Margo Callas (together 1963 - 1974), and a daughter and a son with his third wife Annabel Davis-Goff (together 1975 - 1986). He is now married to news anchor Diane Sawyer. Nichols and May had a brief romance before forming their famous onstage partnership.

German Refugee

Childhood and Family:

Mike Nichols was born Michael Igor Peschkowsky on November 6, 1931, in Berlin, Germany, to a Russian born father, Nicholaievitch Peschowsky, and a German mother, Brigitte Peschowsky. His father, who came to Germany after the 1917 Russian Revolution, relocated to New York City in 1938 to escape the Nazis. Mike and his younger brother Robert (born in 1936) were sent to the U.S. the following year to join their physician father and were placed with an English speaking family. The children were not reunited with their mother until she immigrated to the U.S. in 1941. However, the family faced poverty following the death of Mr. Peschowsky in 1942. He died of leukemia.

Mike earned genius certification when he was 12 years old. He became interested in theater at age 17 after attending a performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway. He graduated from New York's Walden School in 1948 and then attended the University of Chicago in the early 1950s, where he met future comedic partner Elaine May. He quit college in 1954 and moved back to New York City to study method acting with Lee Strasberg.

On June 8, 1957, Mike married Patricia Scott, but they divorced in 1960. He next married Margo Callas in 1963 and the couple had a daughter named Daisy Nichols in 1964. They divorced in 1974. Mike was married to his third wife, Annabel Davis-Goff, from 1975 to 1986. The marriage produced a son (Max Nichols, born in 1974) and a daughter (Jenny Nichols, born in 1977). He and present wife Diane Sawyer (news anchor, born on December 22, 1945) married on April 29, 1988.

Angels in America

Career:

Mike Nichols had his first taste of directing plays with a student college production of “Purgatory.” After briefly training with Lee Strasberg, he returned to Chicago to join Paul Sills, Elaine May and Barbara Harris to form the improvisatory troupe Compass Players in 1955. May and Nichols began performing together as a comedy duo in 1958.

As a team, Nichols and May appeared in nightclubs in New York City, on radio and made guest appearances in a number of television programs, including “The Steve Allen Plymouth Show,” “Accent on Love,” “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” and “Omnibus,” which also marked Nichol's acting debut on television. Their comedy career gained a boost during 1960 and 1961 when they headlined the show “An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May” on Broadway. The audio version of the play earned the duo a 1961 Grammy for Best Comedy Album. Following the success of their Broadway debut, Nichols was given a lead in May's stage play “A Matter of Position” (1962) but the production was a failure and the pair ended their professional and personal relationship shortly thereafter.

Without May, Nichols felt uncertain about his future and eventually received an offer to direct “Barefoot in the Park” (previously titled “Nobody Loves Me”), a play by Neil Simon. Starring Elizabeth Ashley, Robert Redford, Mildred Natwick and Kurt Kasznar, the play debuted on Broadway on October 23, 1963, and was closed on June 25, 1967, after 1530 performances. With such an amazing run, the show made history on Broadway for becoming the 10th longest running non-musical play. For his directing effort, Nichols was handed his first Tony Award.

Nichols then directed the Broadway production of Murray Schisgal's “Luv,” which opened on November 11, 1964, at the Booth Theatre, before being reunited with playwright Neil Simon in 1965 for the acclaimed Broadway production “The Odd Couple.” He won his next Tony Award in the category of Best Direction of a Play for his work in the two plays. The rest of the decade found him directing the Broadway plays “The Apple Tree” (1966, received a Tony nomination), the revival of Lilian Hellman's “The Little Foxes” (1967) and Neil Simon's comedy “Plaza Suite” (1968), where Nichols won a Tony for Best Direction of a Play.

Following his triumph on Broadway, Nichols branched out to feature film directing the critically hailed drama “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf” (1966), which was scripted by Ernest Lehman and based on the play of the same name by Edward Elbee. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis, the film amassed 13 Oscar nominations and won five awards, including Best Actress (Taylor) and Best Supporting Actress (Dennis). Nichols picked up an Oscar nomination for Best Director for his work in the film, not to mention a BAFTA Film Award in the category of Best Film from any Source, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Director and a Directors Guild of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.

Nichols' big screen breakthrough arrived in 1967 when he directed “The Graduate,” an adaptation of Charles Webb's 1963 novel of the same title. The movie was a huge success at the box office and grossed over $104 million against its budget of $3 million. It also received positive reviews from critics and won an Academy Award for Best Director. In addition to his Oscar, Nichols nabbed a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Director, two BAFTA Films for Best Direction and Best Film, a DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, and a New York Film Critics Circle for Best Director. “The Graduate” starred Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels and Murray Hamilton.

After directing the short film “Teach Me” (1968), Nichols helmed Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Martin Balsam and Richard Benjamin in the film “Catch-22” (1970), based on Joseph Heller's book of the same name. The movie was a commercial disappointment. He bounced back with the dramatic film “Carnal Knowledge” (1971), which he also produced. Under his direction, Ann-Margret earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe Award in the same category, while Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel received Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama and Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture, respectively. Still in 1971, he returned to Broadway to helm “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (1971), a reunion with playwright Neil Simon. He won a Tony for Best Direction of a Play for his effort.

Nichols next directed George C. Scott in the science fiction film “The Day of the Dolphin” (1973), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound and Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, and helmed a revival of Anton Chekhov's “Uncle Vanya,” from which he gained a 1974 Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Play. Two years later, he directed Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and Stockard Channing in the comedy “The Fortune” (1975), his last film in the 1970s. While away from the wide screen, he lent his directing skills for the Broadway productions “Streamers” (1976), Trevor Griffiths' “Comedians” (1976) and the musical “Annie” (1977). He received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play for “Streamers,” a Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Play and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play for “Comedians.” He also received a Tony for Best Musical and a Drama Desk for Outstanding Musical for “Annie.” He enjoyed further victory as the director of “The Gin Game” (1977), a two person, two act play written by D.L. Coburn. He earned Tony nominations for Best Direction of a Play and Best Play and Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Director of a Play and Outstanding New Play for the production.

In 1980, Nichols returned to feature directing with the concert film “Gilda Live,” starring Gilda Radner. The film was a flop with audiences and critics alike. He enjoyed a renaissance three years later with “Silkwood” (1983), a drama written by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen that starred Meryl Streep as Karen Silkwood. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role. Nichols also received a Best Director - Motion Picture nomination at the 1984 Golden Globe Awards for the film.

In between the films, Nichols directed the Broadway plays “Billy Bishop Goes to War” (1980) and “Fools (1981, written by Neil Simon). He also appeared in “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at the Long Wharf Theatre, opposite longtime partner Elaine May. In 1984, Nichols staged Tom Shepard's play “The Real Thing” and won Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play for his work. The play also brought him a Drama Desk for Outstanding New Play and an additional nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play. The same year, he directed the Broadway production of “Hurlyburly,” which was nominated for a Tony for Best Play, and produced the one woman show “Whoopi Goldberg.”

In 1986, Nichols was reunited with Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson for the dramatic film “Heartburn” (1986), which was scripted by Nora Ephron and based on her semiautobiographical novel of the same name. He then directed the Broadway production of Andrew Bergman's “Social Security.” Two years later, he was reunited with Neil Simon for the comedy “Biloxi Blues” (1988), which he directed and Simon wrote based on his own play. However, it was his direction on the dramatic comedy “Working Girl” (1988) that brought Nichols his fourth Oscar nomination for Best Director. The movie starred Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack. 1988 also saw Nichols stage a revival of Beckett's “Waiting for Godot,” which starred Steve Martin, Robin Williams and Bill Irwin, and establish the New Actors Workshop with Paul Sills and George Morrison.

In the early 1990s, Nichols directed and produced the films “Postcards from the Edge” (1990), his third film with Meryl Streep, and “Regarding Henry” (1991), which starred Harrison Ford and Annette Bening. He also served as a producer on the James Ivory film “The Remains of the Day” (1993), from which he shared an Oscar for Best Picture with John Calley and Ismail Merchant. He was reunited with Nicholson for the dramatic film “Wolf” (1994), directed and produced the comedy film “The Birdcage” (1996), produced the David Hare film “The Designated Mourner” (1977), and directed John Travolta, Emma Thompson and Billy Bob Thornton in “Primary Colors” (1998), which he also produced. Both “The Birdcage” and “Primary Colors” were scripted by May. Meanwhile on stage, he directed the American Broadway premiere of “Death and the Maiden” (1992), with Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfuss and Gene Hackman starring in the play.

Entering the new millennium, Nichols directed and produced “What Planet Are You From” (2000), a comedy starring Garry Shandling, Annette Bening, John Goodman and Ben Kingsley. He then directed and executive produced the made for TV film “Wit” (HBO, 2001), which he also co-scripted with star Emma Thompson. The movie was based on the 1998 Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by Margaret Edson. “Wit” won Nichols Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special and Outstanding Made for Television Movie and a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Movie. He also picked up a Special Prize of the Ecumenical Jury for Competition and a Golden Berlin Bear nomination at the 2001 Berlin International Film Festival, a 2002 Christopher Award for Television & Cable, a Humanitas Prize for 90 Minute or Longer Cable Category, and a Golden Spike nomination from the 2001 Valladolid International Film Festival. Nichols revisited the stage in 2001 when he directed “The Seagull” in New York City's Central Park.

In 2003, Nichols directed and executive produced the TV miniseries “Angels in America” (HBO), based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by Tony Kushner. Starring Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Patrick Wilson, Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright and Justin Kirk, the show collected numerous awards and nominations. Nichols took home Emmys for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special and Outstanding Miniseries, PGA Awards for Television Producer of the Year Award in Long Form and Visionary Award, and a DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television.

Nichols next directed and produced the movie “Closer” (2004), which starred Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Clive Owen. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture (Drama) and Nichols was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director - Motion Picture. The following year, he attracted attention with his directing effort on the Broadway production of “Monty Python's Spamalot” (2005), a musical based on the British comedy troupe's 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The play brought him a 2005 Tony for Best Direction of a Musical and a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical.

In 2007, Nichols helmed Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Ned Beatty in the drama “Charlie Wilson's War,” adapted from George Crile's 2003 book “Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History.”

Awards:

• American Film Institute: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2010

• Casting Society of America: Golden Apple Award, 2007

• Tony: Best Direction of a Musical, “Spamalot,” 2005

• PGA: Television Producer of the Year Award in Long Form, “Angels in America,” 2005

• Directors Guild of America (DGA): Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television, “Angels in America,” 2004

• Directors Guild of America (DGA): Lifetime Achievement Award, 2004

• Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special, “Angels in America,” 2004

• Emmy: Outstanding Miniseries, “Angels in America,” 2004

• PGA: Visionary Award, “Angels in America,” 2004

• Kennedy Center Honors: 2003

• Christopher: Television & Cable, “Wit,” 2002

• Berlin International Film Festival: Special Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Competition, “Wit,” 2001

• Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, “Wit,” 2001

• Emmy: Outstanding Made for Television Movie, “Wit,” 2001

• Humanitas Prize: 90 Minute or Longer Cable Category, “Wit,” 2001

• U.S. Comedy Arts Festival: Career Tribute, 2000

• Film Society of Lincoln Center: Gala Tribute, 1999

• American Comedy: Creative Achievement Award, 1994

• Tony: Best Direction of a Play, “The Real Thing,” 1984

• Tony: Best Play, “The Real Thing,” 1984

• Drama Desk: Outstanding New Play, “The Real Thing,” 1984

• Tony: Best Musical, “Annie,” 1977

• Drama Desk: Outstanding Director of a Play, “Comedians,” 1977

• Drama Desk: Outstanding Musical, “Annie,” 1977

• Tony: Best Direction of a Play, “The Prisoner of Second Avenue,” 1972

• Laurel: Golden Laurel, Best Director, 1971

• Laurel: Golden Laurel, Director, 1970

• BAFTA: Best Direction, “The Graduate,” 1969

• BAFTA: Best Film, “The Graduate,” 1969

• Oscar: Best Director, “The Graduate,” 1968

• Directors Guild of America (DGA): Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, “The Graduate,” 1968

• Golden Globe: Best Motion Picture Director, “The Graduate,” 1968

• Laurel: 3rd place, Golden Laurel, Director, 1968

• Tony: Best Direction of a Play, “Plaza Suite,” 1968

• BAFTA: Best Film from any Source, “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” 1967

• Laurel: 2nd place, Golden Laurel, Director, 1967

• New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC): Best Director, “The Graduate,” 1967

• Tony: Best Direction of a Play, “Luv” and “The Odd Couple,” 1965

• Tony: Best Director of a Play, “Barefoot in the Park,” 1964

• Grammy: Best Comedy Album, 1961