"For me, The Graduate was life altering ... Mike had a brilliant cinematic eye and uncanny hearing for keeping scenes ironic and real. Actors never gave him less than their personal best - and then Mike would get from them even more. And in a room full of people, Mike was always the centre of gravity. This is a seismic loss," Spielberg told The Hollywood Reporter.
More tributes poured in on social media from a number of stars including Spacey, who tweeted: "Mike Nichols gave me my start. A mentor, friend, colleague. One of the best observers of life. My thoughts are with Diane & his children."
Moore wrote: "So very sad to hear of Mike Nichols death. A great talent, a wonderful, bright, charming human being," and Mia Farrow adds, "Funniest, smartest, most generous, wisest, kindest of all. Mike Nichols, a truly good man."
Producer Zachary Quinto says the world has lost a tremendous artist, a sentiment shared by actor Alec Baldwin.
"There's one less truly brilliant director in the world today...." and John Leguizamo adds, "R.I.P what a genius... He will b (sic) missed!" Baldwin tweeted.
Bob Balaban, Entourage actor Jeremy Piven, director Edgar Wright and Scandal stars Tony Goldwyn and Joshua Malina also penned messages to honour Nichols.
Nichols won an Oscar for directing the 1967 film The Graduate. He was also one of only 12 winners of all four major US entertainment awards - an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
- WENN
