By Zanub Saeed
Nora Ephron, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director, and most notably known for her hit feature films "When Harry Met Sally...," "You've Got Mail," and "Sleepless in Seattle," died on Tuesday evening in Manhattan from pneumonia caused by acute myeloid leukemia, said Newsday. She was 71 years old.
Numerous noted figures and celebrities commented on her death, including Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, who worked with Ephron in "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle" alongside Meg Ryan.
"Nora Ephron was a journalist/artist who knew what was important to know; how things really worked, what was worthwhile, who was fascinating and why," Hanks and wife Rita Wilson said in a statement to E! News. "At a dinner table and on a film set she lifted us all with wisdom and wit mixed with love for us and love for life. Rita and I are so very sad to lose our friend who brought so much joy to all who were lucky enough to know her..."
Ephron was not only a filmmaker, but author, as well, having written "Heartburn," a collect of humorous essays called "I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman," and the play "Love, Loss and What I Wore."
"Nora just looked at every situation and cocked her head and thought, 'Hmmmm, how can I make this more fun?'" Meryl Streep, who starred in Ephron's movie "Silkwood" noted in an email to The New York Times. "You could call on her for anything: doctors, restaurants, recipes, speeches, or just a few jokes, and we all did it, constantly. She was an expert in all the departments of living well."
Nicole Kidman voiced her reverence towards Ephron, as well, as well as dozens of other celebrities throughout the web and Twitter.
"She was so smart, warm and funny," Oscar-winner Kidman told E! News. "I am so grateful that she was my friend and we had the opportunity to work together. My thoughts and love are with her family at this time. I will never forget the dinners, games and laughter we all shared."
