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. In Mike Nichols: An American Master, theater and film stars who worked with Nichols, including Alec Baldwin (Working Girl), playwright Neil Simon, Matthew Broderick (Biloxi Blues), Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) and Frank Langella (Hurlyburly) recall Nichols’ humor and laughter, which you can witness in this excerpt.
Features
Clip | Meryl Streep on Working with Mike Nichols
Clip | Filmmaker Interview with Producer Julian Schlossberg
Clip | Directing The Graduate (1967)
Timeline
Mike Nichols: The Pleasure of His Company
Mike Nichols: An American Master - Preview
Mike Nichols on Theater, Film and Not Giving Up: An In Memoriam Tribute
TRANSCRIPT
BALDWIN: [ Laughs ] This is true.
I mean, I never forget the things he said to me.
NEIL SIMON: He was right 9 out of 10 times, at least.
And then he would explain why, but he would explain it in a humorous way so you would both laugh at the thing he didn't like.
BRODERICK: To make him laugh was one of the great pleasures I've ever had.
LANGELLA: He didn't just laugh.
He laughed helplessly and leaned over and took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
BRODERICK: With the tears running down and always a nice, white handkerchief to get the tears off.
LANE: Just to see him really start to go.
[ Laughs ]
