Celebrity Julia Roberts Remembers Mike Nichols: He Was 'Like No Other' "Mike Nichols was like no other. In every way he was remarkable and amazing," Roberts tells PEOPLE in a statement By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is the Senior News Editor, Entertainment at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 20, 2014 02:30 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Julia Roberts has joined the film community in remembering Oscar-winning director Mike Nichols, who died Wednesday at the age of 83. “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,” the actress, 47, tells PEOPLE in a statement. Roberts worked with Nichols in his last two directorial feats, Closer (2004) and Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), both of which earned Academy Award nods. “His musings were like pearls, his jokes were timeless and perfectly placed, his stories – detailed and wholly entertaining, his warm embrace was where you wanted to live forever,” the statement continues. “He savored life and friends and French macarons. He always, always told the truth. He loved Diane utterly, immeasurably, magically,” Roberts said of Nichols’s marriage to ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer. “He was my most cherished friend.” • Reporting by JD HEYMAN Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter and other special offers: sign me up Thank you for signing up!