Anne Bancroft

Anne Bancroft - Film & Theater Personalities, Career and Family

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Anne Bancroft Biography Stories 

Anne Bancroft's Personal Details

Anne Bancroft was a multiple award winning actress best known for her performance in ‘The Miracle Worker’

InformationDetail
BirthdaySeptember 17, 1931
Died onJune 6, 2005
NationalityAmerican
FamousUniversity Of California, Los Angeles, Film & Theater Personalities, Actresses
SpousesMel Brooks
SiblingsJoanne Italiano, Phyllis Italiano
Known asAnna Maria Louisa Italiano
ChildrensMax Brooks
Universities
  • University Of California, Los Angeles
  • HB Studio
  • Actors Studio
  • Christopher Columbus High School
  • American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of California
  • Los Angeles
Birth PlaceThe Bronx, New York, U.S.
ReligionRoman Catholic
GenderFemale
FatherMichael Italiano
MotherMildred
Sun SignVirgo
Born inThe Bronx, New York, U.S.
Famous asActress
Died at Age73

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Anne Bancroft's photo

Who is Anne Bancroft?

The talented actress who portrayed the teacher Annie Sullivan in the highly acclaimed film, ‘The Miracle Worker’, Anne Bancroft was one of the most loved and respected theatre and film actresses. Beautiful, intelligent and talented, Bancroft was the kind of woman every female envies. She was the perfect combination of beauty and brains. She fell in love with acting as a young girl and resolved to make it big as an actress. She clearly charted out her career goals and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She had the good fortune of studying under the eminent acting coach, Lee Strasberg, which helped her develop her acting techniques and refine her inherent skills. Named as Anna Maria Louisa Italiano at birth, she adopted the screen name Anne Marno when she started doing television shows. Soon she made the transition to films and was again asked to change her screen name. As Anne Bancroft she acted in numerous films and is especially remembered for her role in ‘The Miracle Worker’ for which she won an Academy Award. Along with her film career, she was also actively involved in theatre and has won numerous accolades for her stage performances too.

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Childhood & Early Life

She was born as Anna Maria to first generation Italian parents in New York. Her mother Mildred was a telephone operator while her father Michael Italiano was a dress pattern maker. She had two sisters.

She displayed an early interest in acting and attended dancing and acting lessons from the time she was four.

She went to Christopher Columbus High School and graduated in 1948. Then she went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to study acting and drama. She also attended American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women at the University of California.

Career

She adopted the screen name Anne Marno and appeared in numerous television shows. She was also trying to break into films and was selected for the movie, ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ in 1952. While entering films she again changed her name to Anne Bancroft.

Over the next few years she did get film roles but her career did not seem to be moving forward. Disappointed at the kind of roles she was being offered she turned to theatre.

She made her Broadway debut in 1958 as Gittel Mosca, a lovelorn woman in love with a married man in the play ‘Two for the Seesaw’ which was directed by Arthur Penn. Her performance was much appreciated.

In 1960, she played the leading role of Annie Sullivan, the sight-impaired teacher of young Helen Keller in the play ‘The Miracle Worker’. She reprised this role in the film version of the same play in 1962.

Returning to Broadway, she appeared in the play ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ in 1963. Written by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht, the play is considered to be one of the greatest of the 20th century.

She played a nun who becomes obsessed with a priest in the 1965 Broadway production, ‘The Devils’. The play ran for 63 performances.

In the 1967 comedy drama ‘The Graduate’, she played an elegant older woman who seduces a young college graduate who ultimately falls in love with the seductress’s daughter.

After a series of not so memorable roles during the early 1970s she acted in the 1977 drama film, ‘The Turning Point’ which focused on the world of ballet in New York City. The film was a huge success and nominated for several Academy Awards.

She played Anna Bronski in the 1983 comedy drama ‘To Be or Not to Be’ that was produced by her husband Mel Brooks. It was a remake of the 1942 film of the same name.

In 1987, she starred in the British-American drama, ’84 Charing Cross Road’ directed by David Jones. It was based on a play by James-Roose Evans.

Over the 1990s she continued acting in films but was comparatively more active in television. She played Kate Jerome in the television movie, ‘Broadway Bound’ in 1992.

Along with Diane Lane, Donald Sutherland and Cicely Tyson, she appeared in the ‘Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tell All’ in 1994, a two part television film directed by Ken Cameron.

She continued acting in television and films over the late 1990s though she has begun to suffer health problems. In fact she remained active till the very end.

Major Works

She is best known for her portrayal of the English teacher, Annie Sullivan who is appointed to teach the young Helen Keller in the biographical film, ‘The Miracle Worker’. The film was an instant critical hit and won her several prestigious awards.

Awards & Achievements

She was honored with an Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role, in 1962, for her portrayal of Annie Sullivan in ‘The Miracle Worker’. She also won a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress and National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the same role.

Personal Life & Legacy

She married Martin May in 1953. This marriage did not last long and the couple divorced in 1957.

She met the comedian Mel Brooks in 1961 and started a relationship with him. The couple tied the knot in 1964 and was blessed with a son a few years later. They remained happily married until Bancroft’s death.

During her later years she suffered from uterine cancer and died in 2005.

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Anne Bancroft's awards

YearNameAward

Academy Awards(Oscars)

1963Best Actress in a Leading RoleThe Miracle Worker (1962)

Golden Globe Awards

1968Best Actress - Comedy or MusicalThe Graduate (1967)
1965Best Actress - DramaThe Pumpkin Eater (1964)

Primetime Emmy Awards

1999Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a MovieDeep in My Heart (1999)
1970Outstanding Variety or Musical Program - Variety and Popular MusicAnnie, the Women in the Life of a Man (1970)

BAFTA Awards

1988Best Actress84 Charing Cross Road (1987)
1965Best Foreign ActressThe Pumpkin Eater (1964)
1963Best Foreign ActressThe Miracle Worker (1962)

Anne Bancroft biography timelines

  • // 17th Sep 1931
    She was born as Anna Maria to first generation Italian parents in New York. Her mother Mildred was a telephone operator while her father Michael Italiano was a dress pattern maker. She had two sisters.
  • // 1948
    She went to Christopher Columbus High School and graduated in 1948. Then she went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to study acting and drama. She also attended American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women at the University of California.
  • // 1952
    She adopted the screen name Anne Marno and appeared in numerous television shows. She was also trying to break into films and was selected for the movie, ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ in 1952. While entering films she again changed her name to Anne Bancroft.
  • // 1953
    She married Martin May in 1953. This marriage did not last long and the couple divorced in 1957.
  • // 1958
    She made her Broadway debut in 1958 as Gittel Mosca, a lovelorn woman in love with a married man in the play ‘Two for the Seesaw’ which was directed by Arthur Penn. Her performance was much appreciated.
  • // 1962
    In 1960, she played the leading role of Annie Sullivan, the sight-impaired teacher of young Helen Keller in the play ‘The Miracle Worker’. She reprised this role in the film version of the same play in 1962.
  • // 1962
    She was honored with an Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role, in 1962, for her portrayal of Annie Sullivan in ‘The Miracle Worker’. She also won a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress and National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the same role.
  • // 1963
    Returning to Broadway, she appeared in the play ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ in 1963. Written by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht, the play is considered to be one of the greatest of the 20th century.
  • // 1964
    She met the comedian Mel Brooks in 1961 and started a relationship with him. The couple tied the knot in 1964 and was blessed with a son a few years later. They remained happily married until Bancroft’s death.
  • // 1965
    She played a nun who becomes obsessed with a priest in the 1965 Broadway production, ‘The Devils’. The play ran for 63 performances.
  • // 1967
    In the 1967 comedy drama ‘The Graduate’, she played an elegant older woman who seduces a young college graduate who ultimately falls in love with the seductress’s daughter.
  • // 1977
    After a series of not so memorable roles during the early 1970s she acted in the 1977 drama film, ‘The Turning Point’ which focused on the world of ballet in New York City. The film was a huge success and nominated for several Academy Awards.
  • // 1983
    She played Anna Bronski in the 1983 comedy drama ‘To Be or Not to Be’ that was produced by her husband Mel Brooks. It was a remake of the 1942 film of the same name.
  • // 1987
    In 1987, she starred in the British-American drama, ’84 Charing Cross Road’ directed by David Jones. It was based on a play by James-Roose Evans.
  • // 1994
    Along with Diane Lane, Donald Sutherland and Cicely Tyson, she appeared in the ‘Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tell All’ in 1994, a two part television film directed by Ken Cameron.
  • // 6th Jun 2005
    During her later years she suffered from uterine cancer and died in 2005.

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Anne Bancroft's FAQ

  • What is Anne Bancroft birthday?

    Anne Bancroft was born at 1931-09-17

  • When was Anne Bancroft died?

    Anne Bancroft was died at 2005-06-06

  • Where was Anne Bancroft died?

    Anne Bancroft was died in New York City

  • Which age was Anne Bancroft died?

    Anne Bancroft was died at age 73

  • Where is Anne Bancroft's birth place?

    Anne Bancroft was born in The Bronx, New York, U.S.

  • What is Anne Bancroft nationalities?

    Anne Bancroft's nationalities is American

  • Who is Anne Bancroft spouses?

    Anne Bancroft's spouses is Mel Brooks

  • Who is Anne Bancroft siblings?

    Anne Bancroft's siblings is Joanne Italiano, Phyllis Italiano

  • Who is Anne Bancroft childrens?

    Anne Bancroft's childrens is Max Brooks

  • What was Anne Bancroft universities?

    Anne Bancroft studied at University Of California, Los Angeles, HB Studio, Actors Studio, Christopher Columbus High School, American Academy of Dramatic Arts

  • What was Anne Bancroft notable alumnis?

    Anne Bancroft's notable alumnis is University Of California, Los Angeles

  • What is Anne Bancroft's religion?

    Anne Bancroft's religion is Roman Catholic

  • Who is Anne Bancroft's father?

    Anne Bancroft's father is Michael Italiano

  • Who is Anne Bancroft's mother?

    Anne Bancroft's mother is Mildred

  • What is Anne Bancroft's sun sign?

    Anne Bancroft is Virgo

  • How famous is Anne Bancroft?

    Anne Bancroft is famouse as Actress