After Mike Nichols Shocking Passing, Tributes From the Stars Pour In For 'The Graduate' Director

Mike Nichols, the Oscar-winning director of The Graduate, has died at the age of 83 after suffering cardiac arrest. Stars like Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Cher, and Julia Roberts were heartbroken at the news and shared moving tributes on social media.

The director was one of the greatest to have ever lived, making such classics like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Working Girl, The Remains of the Day, Carnal Knowledge, The Birdcage, and Silkwood.

He received raves and an Emmy award for his adaptation of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, and most recently won a Tony award in 2012 for his direction of the revival for Death of a Salesman.

The husband of ABC News's Diane Sawyer, Nichols worked with some of the best actors, writers, and producers in the world. Here are some of their tributes:

Meryl Streep: "An inspiration and joy to know, a director who cried when he laughed, a friend without whom, well, we can't imagine our world, an indelible irreplaceable man."

Tom Hanks: "'Forward. We must always move forward. Otherwise what will become of us?' Said Mike Nichols, who changed the lives of those who knew him, who loved him, who will miss him so."

Julia Roberts: "There are so few heroes in our world. So few impeccable craftsmen, so few people who personify unconditional love and friendship. Mike Nichols was like no other. In every way he was remarkable and amazing."

Mike Nichols gave me my start. A mentor, friend, colleague. One of the best observers of life. My thoughts are with Diane & his children.

— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) November 20, 2014

Funniest, smartest, most generous, wisest, kindest of all. Mike Nichols, a truly good man — mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 20, 2014

RIP the Great Mike Nichols - elite member of the pantheon of directors whether stage screen or tv. Any conversation was rich w/wit & wisdom — Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) November 20, 2014

World lost a giant.He might b most unique person EVER.Meryl & I were on porch 2 Do Emotional Scene,He Started 2 cry We cried,He Said ACTION — Cher (@cher) November 20, 2014