Mike Nichols

Director and comedian Mike Nichols was famous for his hearty laugh, which often turned into tears, and is why he always kept a handkerchief nearby. Alec Baldwin, playwright Neil Simon, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Frank Langella recall Nichols' humor and laughter, which is also heard and seen in this excerpt from the documentary.

Meet one of America’s late, great directors, Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Angels in America), who discusses his life and 50-year artistic career, from the comedy duo Nichols and May to his final film, Charlie Wilson’s War. The documentary includes new interviews with Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and more, plus insights and highlights from Nichols’ acclaimed films. Directed by Elaine May.

See behind-the-scenes footage of producer Julian Schlossberg interviewing director Mike Nichols. The interview became an important part of the film Mike Nichols: An American Master. Schlossberg is a film producer, radio talk show host and representative of the Nichols and May archive.

Meryl Streep describes working with Mike Nichols, who directed her in his films Silkwood (1983), Heartburn (1986), Postcards From the Edge (1990), and in the HBO miniseries Angels In America (2004). Streep describes his set as a place he himself never wanted to leave. "He would just weep when he had to think, 'Now I have to go into the editing room. No one's there.'"