Anne Bancroft

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.

Anne Bancroft is known for work in acting across film and television. New Release currently presents 23 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes Hollywood: No Sex, Please! (2018), Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s (2009), The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003), Heartbreakers (2001), Keeping the Faith (2000), Antz (1998), Great Expectations (1998), Critical Care (1997).

The recorded credits span 1954 to 2018, including 21 movies and 2 TV shows. The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles.

This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.