Filmmaker Nora Ephron Dead At 71

Nora Ephron, one of cinema's most distinguished filmmakers and gifted humorists, died Tuesday after treatment for acute myeloid leukemia and pneumonia. She was 71.

A novelist, essayist, screenwriter and director, Ephron leaves behind a staggering body of work that includes When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail and the 2009 film Julie & Julia, which featured Meryl Streep's Oscar-nominated portrayal of TV chef Julia Child.

Ephron, a creator who succeeded in establishing a commercially successful film career when the industry was almost exclusively dominated by men, also wrote essays that centered around specifically female issues. Most recently, she published entertaining and incisive books of essays, such as 2006's I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman and 2010's I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections.

As news of Nephron's death rippled across news channels, many of the filmmaker's collaborators came forward with words of appreciation and support for her family. "She lifted us all with wisdom and wit," You've Got Mail star Tom Hanks told NBC's Today.

"Im Extremely Sad ! We had Wonderful times on Silkwood ! She told HILARIOUS STORIES," Cher tweeted.