Filmmaker Nora Ephron dies at 71

Three time Oscar nominee Nora Ephron, best known for penning 'When Harry Met Sally...' and writing/directing 'Sleepless in Seattle', has died aged 71.

In addition to her filmmaking work, Ephron was an author, journalist and playwright. She died after a battle with leukemia.

She was born into a showbiz family as the first of four daighters to Henry and Pheobe Ephron, successful Oscar nominated screenwriters in their own right for films such as 'There’s No Business Like Show Business', 'Desk Set' and 'Captain Newman MD'.

Nora Ephron scored her first Oscar nomination for her first film - writing 1983 biopic 'Silkwood' which starred Meryl Streep. In 1989 she found huge success penning an original screenplay for classic romcom 'When Harry Met Sally...' starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. The boost gave her power to move into directing, which she did brilliantly with the box office hit 'Sleepless in Seattle' (which she also wrote), and other hits such as 'You've Got Mail' and 'Julie & Julia'.

Numerous celebrities have posted tribute to Ephron:

— "I am very sad to learn of Nora's passing. She was a brilliant writer and humorist. Being her Harry to Meg's Sally will always have a special place in my heart. I was very lucky to get to say her words." — Billy Crystal.

— "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. 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..." — Tom Hanks on behalf of himself and wife Rita Wilson.

— "In a world where we're told that you can't have it all, Nora consistently proved that adage wrong. A writer, director, wife, mother, chef, wit--there didn't seem to be anything she couldn't do. And not just do it, but excel at it, revolutionize it, set the bar for every other screenwriter, novelist, director. She was inspiring, intimidating, and insightful. She was so, so alive. It makes no sense to me that she isn't anymore. My heart goes out to her family and the many others who treasured her." — Carrie Fisher.

— "Nora Ephron. The Hostess with the Mostest on the Ball. A brilliant soul, and we will all miss her so...." — Actress Bette Midler via Twitter.

— "When she began directing, Nora was an inspiration for women filmmakers at a time when there were few female directors working in Hollywood. Nora once said in the New Yorker, 'You look at a list of directors and it's all boys; So I thought, I'm just going to become a director and that'll make it easier.' Nora, thanks for making it easier for the many directors who will continue to follow in your footsteps." — Directors Guild of America President Taylor Hackford.

— "So sad to hear that the brilliant Nora Ephron passed away. Her films already are legendary and her talent will be missed. RIP" — Actress Marlee Matlin via Twitter.

— "R.I.P Nora Ephron. A witty, charming, lovely person." — Actor, writer, director Albert Brooks via Twitter.

— "On behalf of Women In Film, our members and friends, we are deeply saddened by Nora's early passing. Her writing and directing always showed us a world in which men and women are equally interesting, smart, funny and provocative, which is the way the world really is and should be illuminated in the stories we tell. Her inspiration and leadership will be missed." — Women in Film President Cathy Schulman.

— "I just heard about Nora Ephron. I'm so sad. A great & prolific writer, a warm & kind soul. Gone just like that." — Comedian Sarah Silverman via Twitter.

— "RIP Nora Ephron brilliant gracious and FUNNY" — Filmmaker Ron Howard via Twitter.

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