Nichols and Taylor: The late Mike Nichols with Elizabeth Taylor, star of his film “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Image by Getty Images

Born Mikhail Peschkowsky in Berlin, Mike Nichols went on to become one of the greatest forces in American comedy and film. An early member of Chicago’s Compass Players, which went on to become Second City, one half of Nichols and May, director of “The Graduate,” “Catch 22,” and most recently “Charlie Wilson’s War,” Nichols has passed away at the age of 83. Here, we take a look back at 11 of the greatest moments in Nichols’s history.

1) “Plastics”
From “The Graduate,” directed by Nichols, written by Buck Henry, starring Dustin Hoffman.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

2) “Telephone,” written and performed by Nichols and Elaine May

3) “What a Dump”
From “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” written by Edward Albee, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

4) Bach to Bach:
From a rare short film written and performed by Nichols and Elaine May

5) “How About Those Dolphins?”
From “The Birdcage,” written by Elaine May, directed by Nichols.

6) “You Broke My Heart—Explain That.”
From “Angels in America,” written by Tony Kushner, starring Al Pacino, directed by Nichols.

7) “Ballbusters on Parade”
From “Carnal Knowledge,” written by Jules Feiffer, directed by Nichols.

8) “Opening sequence” From “The Fortune,” written by Carol Eastman, directed by Nichols.

9) “Death of a Salesman.”

Mike Nichols accepts the Tony Award for best director for “Death of a Salesman,” starring Philip Seymour Hoffman.

10) The Designated Mourner
Mike Nichols stars in the screen adaptation of Wallace Shawn’s play.

11 “Total Mediocrity Award” From the 1959 Emmy Awards featuring Elaine May and Richard Nixon.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount