AFI Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Mike Nichols

Dustin Hoffman and his wife, Lisa, right, share a laugh with Julia Roberts.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AFI)

Michael Douglas, who was last year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient, and Oprah Winfrey listen to the tributes at the AFI dinner.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AFI)

Art Garfunkel, left, and Paul Simon perform “Mrs. Robinson,” from Nichols’ “The Graduate,” to the delight of the audience.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Tom Hanks, who starred in “ Charlie Wilson’s War,” offers his memories of working with Mike Nichols.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Morgan Freeman, who appeared on Broadway in the Mike Nichols-directed “The Country Girl.”  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

Actress Annette Bening listens to one of the many tributes to Mike Nichols.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

Director Steven Spielberg, an AFI board member, at the dinner honoring Mike Nichols.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AFI)

Meryl Streep greets her “Postcards From the Edge” costar Shirley MacLaine.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

Actress Natalie Portman offers a heartfelt tribute to Mike Nichols, her director in the film “Closer” and the play “The Seagull.”  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and Emma Thompson share a laugh at the AFI dinner.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

During her tribute to the director, singer-actress Cher, who received an Academy Award nomination for “Silkwood,” recalls getting turned down for a role by Mike Nichols.  (Kevin Winter/ Getty Images for AFI)

“Silkwood” costars Meryl Streep and Cher bond all over again.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

Writer-director Nora Ephron keeps the audience in stitches as she recounts how many times she’s had to honor Mike Nichols for his various achievements.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford cuddle during the AFI dinner honoring Mike Nichols.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AFI)

Kevin Spacey does his best impersonation of actor Jack Nicholson. He also mimicked Christopher Walken and Al Pacino.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Shirley MacLaine, who worked with Mike Nichols, in “Postcards From the Edge,” pays tribute to the director.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey at the AFI dinner honoring director Mike Nichols.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

Eric Idle, dressed as the angel from “Angels in America, performs “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” part of the Broadway musical “Spamalot,” which was staged by Mike Nichols.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

“Charlie Wilson’s War” screenwriter Aaron Sorkin talks about lessons learned from Mike Nichols.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Julia Roberts gives a distracted Mike Nichols a big hug.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Annette Bening, who appeared in three Mike Nichols movies -- “Regarding Henry,” “Postcards From the Edge” and “What Planet Are You From?” -- says a few words.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Mary-Louise Parker recalls working with director Mike Nichols on the HBO film “Angels in America.”  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Jack Nicholson‘s tribute seemed to be a series of rambling one-liners and non sequiturs, but in the end, he offered thanks to Mike Nichols, whom he worked with in “Carnal Knowledge,” “Heartburn” and “The Fortune.”  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Robin Williams offers his biting, rapid-fire appreciation of Mike Nichols, which keeps the audience laughing and leaves the director in tears.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep and Cher during the 38th AFI Life Achievement Award dinner honoring Mike Nichols.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Oprah Winfrey gives actor Morgan Freeman a hug.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Actress Julia Roberts, who appeared in the Mike Nichols-directed films “Closer” and “ Charlie Wilson’s War,” peppers her tribute with some colorful language.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Last year’s AFI Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Michael Douglas, kicks off the evening.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images for AFI)

Dessert time for Robin Williams, Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford. The evening’s dinner was prepared by Wolfgang Puck.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for AFI)

AFI honoree Mike Nichols shares a moment backstage with Meryl Streep.  (Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AFI)