Nora Ephron

Perhaps one of the most prolific writers to emerge during the latter half of the 20th century, Nora Ephron transitioned from successful journalist and novelist to write and direct what many consider to be among the greatest romantic comedies ever made. Despite being raised by screenwriter parents, Ephron was driven as a young woman to become a journalist, first writing for the New York Post, which she followed by becoming a scathingly witty essayist for the likes of Esquire and New York magazine. Her first collection of essays, Wallflower at the Orgy (1970), was a bestseller, as were all of her subsequent books. After making major news for her divorce from acclaimed journalist Carl Bernstein, which became fodder for her novel, Heartburn, Ephron became an Oscar-nominated screenwriter with her very first effort, "Silkwood" (1983). But it was her script for "When Harry Met Sally " (1989) that set the bar high for all other romantic comedies that would follow. While continuing to write films like "My Blue Heaven" (1990), she also began directing, starting with the beloved "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), leading to "Mixed Nuts" (1994), "Michael" (1996) and culminating in "You've Got Mail" (1998) and "Julie and Julia" (2009). Ephron remained one of the most revered and respected writer-directors of her day, and fans and colleagues alike were devastated by her death on June 26, 2012.