Mike Nichols

Chair of the American Film Institute (AFI) Sir Howard Stringer made an announcement today that Mike Nichols will be honored with AFI’s 38th Life Achievement Award, which will be given out next summer in Los Angeles.

Nichols is one of few artists who have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony. He won the Best Director Oscar (1967) for The Graduate, two Emmys for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries (2001; 2004) for Wit and Angels in America, the Grammy for the 1960 Broadway show An Evening with Nichols and May, and Tonys for Best Directing for Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, and Spamalot.

“Genius is a word oft overused in our world, but surely not in the case of Mike Nichols,” Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI board of trustees, said in announcing the honor. “His artistry has spanned the mediums of modern storytelling — movies, television and the stage — and his gifts across five decades continue to inspire artists and audiences alike.” Nichols said in response, “I’m surprised and pleased. The AFI award is truly an honor. I feel very blessed.” - Hollywood Reporter

The Life Achievement Award is the highest honor that AFI bestows.

Sources: Variety, Hollywood Reporter