Anne Bancroft
Known for
Anne Bancroft, born Anna Maria Italiano in the Bronx to Italian parents, was one of the most respected American actresses of her generation for her versatility and depth. She won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Annie Sullivan in 'The Miracle Worker', and became immortal as the seductive Mrs. Robinson in 'The Graduate'. Her career spanned titles as diverse as 'The Elephant Man', 'Agnes of God', and '84 Charing Cross Road', and in the theater she earned Tony Awards. She died in 2005, was married to filmmaker Mel Brooks, and belonged to the select group of performers who achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. Her register married strength, elegance, and an unerring emotional precision.
Anne Bancroft
53 Movies
14 Series
Anne Bancroft, born Anna Maria Italiano in the Bronx to Italian parents, was one of the most respected American actresses of her generation for her versatility and depth. She won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Annie Sullivan in 'The Miracle Worker', and became immortal as the seductive Mrs. Robinson in 'The Graduate'. Her career spanned titles as diverse as 'The Elephant Man', 'Agnes of God', and '84 Charing Cross Road', and in the theater she earned Tony Awards. She died in 2005, was married to filmmaker Mel Brooks, and belonged to the select group of performers who achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. Her register married strength, elegance, and an unerring emotional precision.
Movies
Plays Mrs. Robinson
The Graduate
1967
Plays Queen (voice)
Antz
1998
Plays Mrs Kendal
The Elephant Man
1980
Plays Senator Lillian DeHaven
G.I. Jane
1997
Plays Ms. Dinsmoor
Great Expectations
1998
Plays Mrs. Kennsinger
Malice
1993
Plays Madame Ouspenskaya
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
1995
Plays Gloria Vogal
Heartbreakers
2001
Plays Amanda
Point of No Return
1993
Plays Annie Sullivan
The Miracle Worker
1962
Plays Anne Bancroft
Silent Movie
1976
Plays Dr. Catherine Holland
Mr. Jones
1993
Plays Ruth Schram
Keeping the Faith
2000
Plays Mother Miriam Ruth
Agnes of God
1985
Plays Glady Joe Cleary
How to Make an American Quilt
1995
Plays Helene Hanff
84 Charing Cross Road
1987
Plays Madame Ruth
Love Potion No. 9
1992
Plays Dr. Renata Baumbauer
The Sunchaser
1996
Plays Ursula
The Hindenburg
1975
Plays Thelma Cates
'night, Mother
1986
Plays Ma Beckoff
Torch Song Trilogy
1988
Plays Lyn Lesley
Don't Bother to Knock
1952
Plays Adele Larson
Home for the Holidays
1995
Plays Bea Singer
Honeymoon in Vegas
1992
Plays Anna Bronski
To Be or Not to Be
1983
Plays Lady Jennie Churchill
Young Winston
1972
Plays Nun
Critical Care
1997
Plays Paula
Demetrius and the Gladiators
1954
Plays Corinna Marston
The Last Frontier
1955
Plays Dr. D.R. Cartwright
7 Women
1965
Plays Carla Bondi
Lipstick
1976
Plays Edna Edison
The Prisoner of Second Avenue
1975
Plays Jo Armitage
The Pumpkin Eater
1964
Plays Sedessa (voice)
Delgo
2008
Plays Emma
The Turning Point
1977
Plays Estelle Rolfe
Garbo Talks
1984
Plays Laverne Miller
Gorilla at Large
1954
Plays Inga Dyson
The Slender Thread
1965
Plays Princess San Ferdinando
Up at the Villa
2000
Plays Marie Gardner
Nightfall
1956
Plays Beth Dixon
The Girl in Black Stockings
1957
Plays Katy Bishop
The Raid
1954
Plays Rosalie Regalzyk
The Naked Street
1955
Plays Kathy Lupo
New York Confidential
1955
Plays Marie, Comtesse de St. Malo
Treasure of the Golden Condor
1953
Plays Tianay
Walk the Proud Land
1956
Plays Angelita
The Restless Breed
1957
Director
Plays Antoinette
Fatso
1980
Plays María Ibinia
A Life in the Balance
1955
Plays Meredith Perlestein
Bert Rigby, You're a Fool
1989
TV Shows
Plays Mary Magdalene
Jesus of Nazareth
1977
Plays Self - Mystery Guest
What's My Line?
1950
Plays Old Lucy Marsden
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
1994
Plays Mama Gruber
Haven
2001
Plays Dr. Zweig (voice)
The Simpsons
1989
Plays Maria Cassini
Studio One
1948
Plays Anne Bancroft
Curb Your Enthusiasm
2000
Plays Audrey
Climax!
1954
Plays Virginia
ABC Stage 67
1966
Plays Isabelle Rutledge
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
Plays Mrs. Fanning
Performance
1991
Plays Madre di Marco
Marco Polo
1982
Plays Mrs. Fanning
Great Performances
1971
Plays Mrs. Cage
American Playhouse
1982
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Delgo
Full Filmography
Delgo
Sedessa (voice)
2008
Film
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Anne Bancroft · 1 episode
2004
TV
Heartbreakers
Gloria Vogal
2001
Film
Haven
Mama Gruber · 2 episodes
2001–
TV
Keeping the Faith
Ruth Schram
2000
Film
Up at the Villa
Princess San Ferdinando
2000
Film
Antz
Queen (voice)
1998
Film
Great Expectations
Ms. Dinsmoor
1998
Film
Critical Care
Nun
1997
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anne Bancroft still alive?
Anne Bancroft passed away on June 6, 2005 at age 73.
What are the most famous roles of Anne Bancroft?
Anne Bancroft is best known for roles in Antz, The Elephant Man, The Graduate.
How many movies has Anne Bancroft been in?
Over a 55-year career (since 1950), Anne Bancroft has appeared in 53 movies and 11 TV shows.
What was Anne Bancroft's first movie?
The career of Anne Bancroft began with The Man Who Had Influence (1950).
What is Anne Bancroft's most recent movie or series?
Anne Bancroft's most recent release is Delgo, which premiered on December 12, 2008.
What TV shows has Anne Bancroft appeared in?
On television, Anne Bancroft has appeared in The Simpsons, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Jesus of Nazareth, The Oscars.
Anne Bancroft
1931-09-17 · The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Anne Bancroft (born Anna Maria Louisa Italiano; September 17, 1931 – June 6, 2005) was an American actress. Respected for her acting prowess and versatility, Bancroft received an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Cannes Film Festival Award. She is one of only 24 thespians to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting.
Bancroft was born Anna Maria Louisa (or Luisa) Italiano on September 17, 1931, in the Bronx, New York City, the middle of three daughters of Mildred (née Di Napoli), a telephone operator, and Michael G. Italiano, a dress pattern maker. Both of her parents' surnames were toponymic. Her parents were Italian immigrants from Southern Italy. In an interview, she stated that her family was originally from Muro Lucano, in the province of Potenza. She was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. Bancroft was raised in Little Italy, in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx, attended P.S. 12, later moving to 1580 Zerega Ave.
Bancroft's Broadway debut in the two-character drama Two for the Seesaw (1958), brought her wide recognition for the depth of her talent and garnered her a Tony Award for best supporting actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (1962), and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate (1967).
Bancroft continued to have a successful career in film and television. She starred in a number of other films, including The Elephant Man (1980), 84 Charing Cross Road (1987), and Agnes of God (1985), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Bancroft was married to director Mel Brooks from 1964 until her death in 2005. They had one son, Max Brooks.