Mike Nichols dies

Mike Nichols has died.

The prestigious director passed away suddenly yesterday at the age of 83. He is survived by his ABC News anchor wife Diane Sawyer, with her company releasing a statement about his death.

“He was a true visionary, winning the highest honours in the arts for his work as a director, writer, producer and comic, and was one of a tiny few to win the EGOT – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony in his lifetime,” ABC News president James Goldston said.

“No one was more passionate about his craft than Mike.”

It is understood Mike died of cardiac arrest.

The director was behind iconic 1967 movie The Graduate, which won him the best director Oscar. He was nominated for several other Academy Awards and had a string of box office successes with the likes of Working Girl, The Remains of the Day, Silkwood and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The star was one of just 12 who has received an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy, with his last movie being 2007’s Charlie Wilson’s War which starred Tom Hanks, Amy Adams and Julia Roberts.

He married his fourth wife Diane in 1988 and is also survived by three grown-up children, who come from past relationships, as well as four grandchildren.

Mike’s family will mark his passing with a private service and there will be a memorial held in due course.

The director began his career in the 50s as part of a comedy duo with Elaine May. They released records together, landing Mike a Grammy, before he moved to directing on Broadway and won several Tonys. He then moved to other kinds of directing, winning his Academy Award and Emmys for his work on Wit and Angels in America.