Remembering Mike Nichols: Stars Pay Tribute to the Late Director

Streep, who worked with Nichols on Silkwood, Heartburn, Angels in America, and his upcoming HBO adaptation of Master Class, called the director, "An inspiration and joy to know, a director who cried when he laughed, a friend without whom, well, we can’t imagine our world, an indelible irreplaceable man."

The Primary Colors star released a statement reading, "Mike Nichols was a true artist and visionary. He was royalty and made any one he loved and admired feel the same. I will miss him and forever be grateful for his talent and care. Love you Mike."

Nichols helped bring Goldberg's one-woman show to Broadway and is credited with jumpstarting her career. The View host was too emotional for words when she paid tribute to the director on the talk show.

Hanks starred in Nichols' last film Charlie Wilson's War and quoted the director in his tribute: "'Forward. We must always move forward. Otherwise what will become of us?' said Mike Nichols, who changed the lives of those who knew him, who loved him, who will miss him so."

"Mike Nichols gave me my start," tweeted the actor, whose role in Working Girl was one of his first major acting jobs. "A mentor, friend, colleague. One of the best observers of life. My thoughts are with Diane and his children."

"There are so few heroes in our world," wrote Roberts, who starred in Nichols' dark relationship drama Closer. "So few impeccable craftsmen, so few people who personify unconditional love and friendship. Mike Nichols was like no other. In every way he was remarkable and amazing. His musings were like pearls, his jokes were timeless and perfectly placed, his stories—detailed and wholly entertaining, his warm embrace was where you wanted to live forever. He savored life and friends and French macaroons. He always, always told the truth. He loved Diane utterly, immeasurably, magically. He was my most cherished friend."

Portman also starred in Closer with Roberts, Jude Law and Clive Owen.

"There's nothing good enough I can write that would do Mike justice," the actress said. "He was the one who had the best words, the right hug for hard times, the funny comment to diffuse your pain. He saved me again and again. He was the best way to be a person and an artist. And the most, most fun. I send my deepest love to Diane, Jenny, Max, Daisy and their children, who filled his days with light."

"Along with Elaine May, Mike Nichols changed the face of comedy," said Lane, whose turn in Nichols' adaption of The Birdcage is one of his most memorable roles. "He was an irreplaceable and loving genius who also changed my life. My heartfelt condolences to Diane and his family."

"He made me feel as though I were a full partner or co-conspirator in finding clues to solve the puzzle; like a really slow Dr. Watson," said Goodman, whom Nichols directed in What Planet Are You From? and an off-Broadway production of The Seagull. "It's hard to imagine a world without him."

"I learned so much being with him and feel blessed to have someone like that in my life, a giant like that in my life who touched so many," said McDonald, who played Emma Thompson's nurse in Nichols' HBO film Wit. "I'm pretty devastated about it, actually. It was horrible news to wake up to this morning."

Nichols directed the HBO adaptation of Kushner's play Angels in America.

"Mike brought a consummate understanding of theatricality to his films, a great filmmaker’s grasp of narrative to his stage work, and to both he brought his rigorous intelligence, emotional courage, discipline, taste, and infinite wit—a classicist, an engaged and protean artist, a truly original, utterly remarkable mensch of a man," Kushner wrote. "Mike inspired me, challenged me, brought me much joy and, when I needed it, real comfort; he was a magnificent friend. I loved him very much."