Mike Nichols

While his 1967 debut film was nominated for Best Picture, Nichols actually took home the Academy Award for Best Director for the film. This cemented his seamless transition from a Broadway comedy star to a major Hollywood filmmaker. The film famously starred Dustin Hoffman in his breakout role.

Before moving behind the camera, Nichols was half of the immensely popular satirical comedy duo Nichols and May, alongside Elaine May. They performed brilliant, heavily improvised sketches on Broadway and television during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The duo won a Grammy for their comedy album in 1961.

Yes, Nichols directed the 1966 film adaptation of Edward Albee's play, which was his very first film and starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The film was a massive critical success and was nominated for 13 Academy Awards. Taylor won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film.

Yes, Nichols directed the 1988 romantic comedy Working Girl, starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, and Sigourney Weaver. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Director for Nichols. It showcased his versatility in handling mainstream Hollywood hits across multiple decades.