Graduate director Nichols dies

Mike Nichols, the director of matchless versatility who brought fierce wit, caustic social commentary and wicked absurdity to such film, TV and stage hits as The Graduate, Angels in America and Monty Python’s Spamalot,” has died. He was 83.

The family will hold a private service this week; a memorial will be held at a later date.

During a career spanning more than 50 years, Nichols, who was married to ABC’s Diane Sawyer, managed to be an insider and outsider, an occasional White House guest and friend to countless celebrities who was as likely to satirise the elite as he was to mingle with them.