Growing up with Nora Ephron

  • By Emily Yoffe
    Slate
  • Saturday, June 30th, 2012
    This Feb. 22, 1978 photo shows screenwriter Ephron with her then-husband, journalist and author Carl Bernstein in New York. Ephron later penned the novel “Heartburn” about the dissolution of their marriage.

    This Feb. 22, 1978 photo shows screenwriter Ephron with her then-husband, journalist and author Carl Bernstein in New York. Ephron later penned the novel “Heartburn” about the dissolution of their marriage.

    Ephron (from left) with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams gather for the July 27, 2009, premiere of “Julie & Julia” in Los Angeles.

    Ephron (from left) with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams gather for the July 27, 2009, premiere of “Julie & Julia” in Los Angeles.

    This 1962 yearbook image released by Wellesley College in Massachusetts shows Ephron, editor of the Wellesley News, in the campus newsroom. Born into a family of screenwriters, a top journalist in her 20s and 30s, then a best-selling author and successful director, Ephron was among the most quotable and influential writers of her generation.

    This 1962 yearbook image released by Wellesley College in Massachusetts shows Ephron, editor of the Wellesley News, in the campus newsroom. Born into a family of screenwriters, a top journalist in her 20s and 30s, then a best-selling author and successful director, Ephron was among the most quotable and influential writers of her generation.

    Meg Ryan in a scene from the romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail,” directed, co-written and co-produced by Ephron.

    Meg Ryan in a scene from the romantic comedy “You’ve Got Mail,” directed, co-written and co-produced by Ephron.

    Director and writer Nora Ephron (from left) and cast members Meryl Streep and Amy Adams attend the July 2009 premiere of “Julie and Julia” in Los Angeles.

    Director and writer Nora Ephron (from left) and cast members Meryl Streep and Amy Adams attend the July 2009 premiere of “Julie and Julia” in Los Angeles.

    Meg Ryan (from left) as Annie Reed, Ross Malinger as Jonah Baldwin and Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin star in a scene from “Sleepless in Seattle,” a film written and directed by Ephron.

    Meg Ryan (from left) as Annie Reed, Ross Malinger as Jonah Baldwin and Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin star in a scene from “Sleepless in Seattle,” a film written and directed by Ephron.

    This image released by Warner Bros. Home Video shows actors Tom Hanks, left, and Meg Ryan in a scene from the romantic comedy "You've Got Mail," directed, co-written and co-produced by Nora Ephron. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf confirmed Tuesday, June 26, 2012, that author and filmmaker Nora Ephron died Tuesday of leukemia in New York. She was 71. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Home Video)

    This image released by Warner Bros. Home Video shows actors Tom Hanks, left, and Meg Ryan in a scene from the romantic comedy "You've Got Mail," directed, co-written and co-produced by Nora Ephron. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf confirmed Tuesday, June 26, 2012, that author and filmmaker Nora Ephron died Tuesday of leukemia in New York. She was 71. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Home Video)

    In this film publicity image released by Columbia Pictures, Meryl Streep portrays Julia Child in a scene from, "Julie & Julia," written and directed by Nora Ephron. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf confirmed Tuesday, June 26, 2012, that author and filmmaker Nora Ephron died Tuesday of leukemia in New York. She was 71. The film, starring Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci was Ephron's last film. (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony, Jonathan Wenk)

    In this film publicity image released by Columbia Pictures, Meryl Streep portrays Julia Child in a scene from, "Julie & Julia," written and directed by Nora Ephron. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf confirmed Tuesday, June 26, 2012, that author and filmmaker Nora Ephron died Tuesday of leukemia in New York. She was 71. The film, starring Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci was Ephron's last film. (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures/Sony, Jonathan Wenk)