Mike Nichols

From Grokipedia

Mike Nichols (born Mikhail Igor Peschkowsky; November 6, 1931 – November 19, 2014) was a German-born American director, producer, actor, and comedian who rose to prominence through the improvisational comedy duo Nichols and May before transitioning to directing acclaimed films and Broadway productions., a cultural touchstone that captured post-college disillusionment and launched Dustin Hoffman's career, securing him the Academy Award for Best Director.( Over his career, he directed 18 feature films and numerous stage works, amassing an EGOT—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards—highlighting his versatility across entertainment mediums.(

In brief

Mike Nichols (born Igor Mikhail Peschkowsky; November 6, 1931 – November 19, 2014) was an American film and theatre director and comedian. He worked across a range of genres and had an aptitude for getting the best out of actors regardless of their experience. He is one of 28 people to have won all four of the major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).

His other honors included 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. His films received a total of 42 Academy Award nominations, and seven wins. Nichols began his career in the 1950s with the comedy improvisational troupe The Compass Players, predecessor of The Second City, in Chicago.