---
name: "Mike Nichols"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mike-nichols"
fi1m_id: "mike-nichols"
imdb_id: "nm0001566"
tmdb_id: 5342
wikidata_id: "Q51537"
roles: ["Director","Producer"]
born: "6 November 1931"
died: "19 November 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "director"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-04T23:45:25.785987+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Mike Nichols

## Identity

Mike Nichols

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mike-nichols
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mike-nichols
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001566
- **TMDB ID:** 5342
- **Wikidata ID:** Q51537
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nichols, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51537, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001566/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5342

Director and producer. Born 6 November 1931 in Berlin, Germany. Died 19 November 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Producer
- **Born:** 6 November 1931, Berlin, Germany
- **Died:** 19 November 2014
- **Active:** 1966–2007
- **Also known as:** 마이크 니콜스, 마이크 니컬스, 迈克·尼科尔斯
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 8 directing, 1 producing
- **Frequently works with:** [Douglas Wick](https://film.one/person/douglas-wick.md), [Jack Nicholson](https://film.one/person/jack-nicholson.md), [John Calley](https://film.one/person/john-calley.md), [Julia Roberts](https://film.one/person/julia-roberts.md), [Meryl Streep](https://film.one/person/meryl-streep.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 3 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as director, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 86 (2), 1980s 68 (2), 1990s 76 (3), 2000s 73 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 73 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Romance 6, Comedy 4, Horror 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $726m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nichols, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51537, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001566/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5342

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Remains of the Day*](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) (88)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Graduate*](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md) (86)
- **HBO Max:** [*Angels in America*](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md) (83)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Birdcage*](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md) (81)
- **Tubi:** [*Wolf*](https://film.one/film/wolf.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Mike Nichols

> Mike Nichols made embarrassment funny without forgetting the person enduring it. We value the freedom he gave his actors, though *The Birdcage* shows how his affection for the characters could soften a comedy that needed to be harsher.

Nathan Lane's Albert is having a backstage breakdown in *The Birdcage* (1996), and Mike Nichols allows the fuss to become uncomfortable. Robin Williams, as Armand, holds himself back and gives Lane room. We laughed, then felt protective of Albert because Lane makes his need for reassurance so plain. Nichols can let a character be exhausting without making us wish he would leave the film.

That attention to actors was there in his film debut, the stage adaptation *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (1966), before *The Graduate* (1967) brought his breakthrough. The 1970s were less assured, with *Catch-22* (1970) among the disappointments. *Silkwood* (1983) restored his critical standing and began a long collaboration with Meryl Streep. His later work included the television adaptations *Wit* (2001) and *Angels in America* (2003). Across those changes, the recurring interest was in relationships and the awkward business of people dealing with one another.

His visual style tends to stay out of the actors' way, an approach sometimes dismissed as workmanlike. In *The Birdcage*, there is plenty to notice in how he directs the supporting cast. Gene Hackman's Senator Kevin Keeley expects to be heard out, and Nichols lets the waiting become part of the joke. Dianne Wiest's Louise keeps her reactions small, trusting us to pay attention. Both performances show how much comic detail he can get from actors who feel no need to announce that they are being funny.

Elaine May, his former comedy partner, supplies *The Birdcage*'s screenplay, which is too cautious about upsetting anyone. Nichols occasionally lets Lane complain beyond the last useful laugh, and the farce loses pressure while he attends to everybody's feelings. The script wants acceptance without always confronting what its characters are being asked to suppress. Williams and Lane make that compromise worth tolerating because their discomfort matters even when the plot is predictable. Start with *The Birdcage*, and forgive it for being so anxious to send everyone home happy.

## Biography

Mike Nichols (born Mikhail Igor Peschkowsky; 6 November 1931 – 19 November 2014) was a German-born American film and theatre director, producer and comedian. He emigrated to the United States as a child and began his career in the 1950s with the Compass Players improvisational troupe in Chicago. He later formed the comedy duo Nichols and May with Elaine May, whose Broadway performances led to three albums, one of which won a Grammy Award.

After the duo disbanded in 1961, Nichols directed plays on Broadway, including Neil Simon’s *Barefoot in the Park* (1963), *Luv* (1964) and *The Odd Couple* (1965), each earning him a Tony Award. He made his film debut directing *Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (1966) and went on to direct *The Graduate* (1967), *Catch-22* (1970), *Working Girl* (1988), *The Birdcage* (1996) — on which he also served as producer — *Closer* (2004) and *Charlie Wilson’s War* (2007). He produced *The Remains of the Day* (1993).

Nichols received an Academy Award for Best Director for *The Graduate* and won six Tony Awards in total, including for a 2012 revival of *Death of a Salesman*. He also directed acclaimed television productions such as *Wit* (2001) and *Angels in America* (2003).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

### Directed (8) — the average rests on these

- *Closer* (2004), Fi1m 63, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/closer.md)
- *Angels in America* (2003), Fi1m 83, Director, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md)
- *The Birdcage* (1996), Fi1m 81, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), Fi1m 60, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *Working Girl* (1988), Fi1m 80, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/working-girl.md)
- *Heartburn* (1986), Fi1m 55, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/heartburn.md)
- *The Graduate* (1967), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md)
- *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (1966), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf.md)

### Produced (1)

- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)

## Complete filmography (37)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Crescendo! The Power of Music* (2014), Executive Producer
- *Friends with Kids* (2012), Executive Producer
- *Hair Battle Spectacular* (2010), series, Producer
- *Fantastic Mr. Fox* (2009), Thanks — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-mr-fox.md)
- *Ghost Hunters International* (2008), series, Producer
- *Charlie Wilson's War* (2007), Director
- *Show Me the Money* (2006), series, Producer
- *Closer* (2004), Producer, Director — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/closer.md)
- *Angels in America* (2003), series, Director, Executive Producer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md)
- *Wit* (2001), Director, Teleplay, Executive Producer, Writer
- *What Planet Are You From?* (2000), Director, Producer
- *Primary Colors* (1998), Producer, Director
- *The Designated Mourner* (1997), as Jack · Producer
- *The Birdcage* (1996), Director, Producer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), Director — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Producer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md)
- *Regarding Henry* (1991), Director, Producer
- *Postcards from the Edge* (1990), Director, Producer
- *Working Girl* (1988), Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/working-girl.md)
- *Biloxi Blues* (1988), Director
- *Heartburn* (1986), Director, Producer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/heartburn.md)
- *The Longshot* (1986), Executive Producer
- *Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway* (1985), Stage Director, Production Supervisor
- *Silkwood* (1983), Director, Producer
- *The Gin Game* (1981), Stage Director
- *Gilda Live* (1980), Director
- *Family* (1976), series, Executive Producer
- *The Fortune* (1975), Director, Producer
- *The Day of the Dolphin* (1973), Director
- *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), Director, Producer
- *Catch-22* (1970), Director
- *All the Difference* (1970), as (voice)
- *The Graduate* (1967), Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md)
- *Bach to Bach* (1967), as A Man (voice) · Writer
- *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (1966), Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf.md)
- *Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall* (1962), Writer
- *DuPont Show of the Month* (1957), series, as Rod Carter

## Gallery

- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-2966a3136fb1.jpg) Mike Nichols — McManus - ebay, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Mike_Nichols.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols as publicity for a television special The Fabulous Fifties.](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-c4c5d17f0492.jpg) Photo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols as publicity for a television special The Fabulous Fifties. — The Bureau of Industrial Service for CBS Television, who aired the program.  In the 1950s and 1960s, it was common for networks, studios and program sponsors to use either ad or publicity agencies to distrubte publicity material.  The Bureau was a division of Ad Agency Young & Rubicam and was well-used for this purpose by those in the industry., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Elaine_May_and_Mike_Nichols_1960.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols (1958)](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-e72f44d6e4ca.jpg) Publicity photo of Elaine May and Mike Nichols (1958) — McManus, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/May_and_Nichols-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Mike Nichols at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-879e48415c29.jpg) Mike Nichols at the National Film Society convention, May 1979. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Mike_Nichols_%284506109932%29.jpg/1280px-Mike_Nichols_%284506109932%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-d05070be3492.jpg) Mike Nichols — Image via TMDB
- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-ef108a5d5899.jpg) Mike Nichols — Image via TMDB
- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-0d2c6ce01308.jpg) Mike Nichols — Image via TMDB
- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-451359585652.jpg) Mike Nichols — Image via TMDB
- ![Mike Nichols](https://film.one/media/person/82559/gallery-ba452c6b1694.jpg) Mike Nichols — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 3 nominated

- 1989: Best Director (nominated), for *Working Girl*
- 1984: Best Director (nominated), for *Silkwood*
- 1968: Best Director (won), for *The Graduate*
- 1967: Best Director (nominated), for *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 3 won

- 1969: Best Direction (won), for *The Graduate*
- 1969: Best Film (won), for *The Graduate*
- 1967: Best Film (won), for *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1968: Best Director (won), for *The Graduate*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won

- 2004: Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special (won), for *Angels in America*
- 2001: Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special (won), for *Wit*

### Other awards — 11 won, 4 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 2012: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- AFI Life Achievement Award 2010: AFI Life Achievement Award (won)
- Vilcek Prize 2009: Vilcek Prize (won)
- Great Immigrants Award 2006: Great Immigrants Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical 2005: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1984: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1978: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1977: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1974: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1972: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1968: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical 1967: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1965: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play 1964: Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album 1961: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (won), for *An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/mike-nichols