Mike Nichols

More about the book

This biography explores the life of a remarkable figure in American entertainment, detailing his extraordinary highs and devastating lows, many of which remain largely unknown. Mike Nichols emerged as a prodigious talent in his 20s, forming a successful improv duo with Elaine May that captivated the nation. He directed four hit Broadway plays, winning three Tony Awards for Best Director. By his mid-30s, his films, including Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Graduate, became the highest-grossing movies of their respective years, with The Graduate earning him an Oscar. Before turning 40, Nichols enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, living in a Central Park West penthouse, driving a Rolls Royce, and befriending prominent figures like Jacqueline Kennedy and Stephen Sondheim. His journey is particularly striking given his beginnings: born Igor Peschkowsky in Berlin in 1931, he and his brother were sent alone to America in 1939. Their father awaited them, while their mother followed shortly after. The family faced immense challenges, including poverty and the early death of his father when Nichols was just 11. He also dealt with the stigma of being completely bald due to an allergic reaction as a child. Mark Harris presents a nuanced account of Nichols's life, balancing his successes and failures, ultimately revealing the complexity of one of theater and film's most significant figures.