Most of Nichols work is considerably older then me, but when I first saw The Graduate at age 16, I was hooked. I analyzed his work and career any time I could.
Though he was 83, he always seemed far younger and more youthful then the typical octogenarian. Him dying never even crossed my radar and his sudden death is a shock.
The world needs more people like Mike Nichols
(And as it's been stated so many times on this board this year, I just can't believe the loss we experienced this year. The "In memory of..." sections of the Oscars and Tonys will be long this season.)