“He was happy to eliminate some nudity”: Natalie Portman Reveals Late Director Mike Nichols Comforted Her During Nude Scenes, Didn’t Creep Her Out Like Others
Natalie Portman revealed a few interesting facts about the late American director Mike Nichols in Mark Harris’ book Mike Nichols: A Life. Portman praised the late director and the way he comforted her during many difficult scenes while filming the movie Closer. Portman and Nichols collaborated on their first film together when she was 19 years old, in the Central Park production of The Seagull.
While speaking with Harris, the book’s author, the Black Swan actress discussed how he encouraged her and did not make her feel awkward like the other directors.
Natalie Portman calls Mike Nichols a Genuine Feminist
While speaking about the late director, Natalie Portman reflected on how nervous she was when she was cast in The Seagull alongside Meryl Streep and others. Portman described Nichols as a sensitive man and director who not only mentored her but also played a significant role in her acting career’s success. Portman also stated that he is the only director who didn’t creep her out. Portman said,
“The only older man who mentored me without there ever being a creepy element in it. I think he was a genuine feminist.”
The No Strings Attached actress praised Nichols for many amazing qualities that many directors of his generation lacked. Portman described the Working Girl director as a creative, interesting, and talented human and claimed that these were his finest and rarest qualities.
Portman also talked about how understanding and thoughtful the late director Nichols was while filming the movie Closer. Portman said, “He wants to see my bare ass even less than my father would.” In the book, the writer wrote,
“At her request, he was happy to eliminate some of the nudity Nichols made sure Portman was comfortable with the angles, the costumes, and the movement, and walked her through the scene until she felt ready.”
The Thor actress aspires to be a mentor like Nichols in someone’s life as she explained that he definitely changed her life in many ways.
Mike Nichols died due to Cardiac arrest in 2014
Nichols died of cardiac arrest on November 19, 2014, at the age of 83. The Hollywood industry was taken aback by his sudden death. The Closer director was news anchor Diane Sawyer’s husband. When Nichols died, Portman gave a moving eulogy. She stated,
“There’s nothing good enough I can write that would do Mike justice. He was the one who had the best words, the right hug for hard times, and the funny comment to diffuse your pain.”
She further said,
“ He saved me again and again. He was the best way to be a person and an artist. And the most, most fun. I send my deepest love to Diane, Jenny, Max, Daisy, and their children, who filled his days with light.”
In her interview, Portman stated that he was one of the smartest people she knew. He was always content and saw the world through a different lens, which is why he was such a successful filmmaker.
