Spacey, Streep, Hanks mourn Mike Nichols

He was the rare Hollywood presence who achieved both critical and commercial success, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

Lauded director Mike Nichols passed away on Wednesday night, at age 83. And those who worked with him continue to pay tribute. Broadway theater marquees will dim their lights for one minute, at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, as an ode to Nichols, who won nine Tonys.

"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." — Meryl Streep, who worked with Nichols on 1983's Silkwood, 1986's Heartburn, the 1990 comedy Postcards from the Edge and the two-part 2003 HBO miniseries, Angels in America.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of Mike Nichols' death. I can think of no better way to describe this extraordinary human being than to call him a masterpiece. He was a man of devotion — to his friends, to his art, to his industry, to his family and to his beloved wife. He leaves a huge void in all of our hearts." — Nancy Reagan

"'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." — Tom Hanks, who worked with Nichols on the 2007 film, Charlie Wilson's War.

"As an actor there was no greater joy, opportunity, or imprimatur than being hired by Mike Nichols. Except being hired by him again." — Cynthia Nixon, who worked with Nichols on productions of The Real Thing and Hurlyburly .