Anne Bancroft

Anne Bancroft (September 17, 1931 – June 6 2005) was an American actress, born Anna Maria Louisa Italiano in The Bronx, New York to Italian immigrant parents.

Related Topics:
September 17 - 1931 - June 6 - 2005 - American - Actress - The Bronx, New York - Italian

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Bancroft attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Actors Studio, and the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women at UCLA.

Related Topics:
American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Actors Studio - American Film Institute's

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After appearing in a number of live television dramas under the name "Anne Marno", she was told to change her surname for her film debut in Don't Bother to Knock in 1952, and she chose the surname "Bancroft" because she felt it was "elegant". She was a contract player in the early days of her career just as the studio contract system was ending. She left Hollywood and returned to New York due to the quality of roles she was being offered. It was a wise move.

Related Topics:
Don't Bother to Knock - 1952 - Contract player

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From July 1 1953 to February 13 1957 she was married to Martin May, but the marriage produced no children.

Related Topics:
July 1 - 1953 - February 13 - 1957

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In 1958 she appeared opposite Henry Fonda in the Broadway production of Two for the Seesaw, for which she won a Tony Award, and another in 1960 for The Miracle Worker. She took the latter role back to Hollywood, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1962. Bancroft was one of a very few to win an Oscar, Emmy and a Tony award.

Related Topics:
1958 - Henry Fonda - Broadway - Two for the Seesaw - Tony Award - The Miracle Worker - Hollywood - Academy Award for Best Actress - 1962

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Other major roles were in The Pumpkin Eater, 7 Women, and The Graduate, which may be her signature role as Mrs. Robinson opposite Dustin Hoffman. She sometimes said that her role in The Graduate overshadowed all of her other work.

Related Topics:
The Pumpkin Eater - 7 Women - The Graduate - Mrs. Robinson - Dustin Hoffman

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In 1961 Bancroft met Mel Brooks in a rehearsal for the Perry Como variety show. Brooks bribed a studio employee to find out where she was having dinner so he could meet her again. They married on August 5 1964 in New York City Hall and were together until her death. They had one son, Maximillian, in 1972. They were seen twice on the screen together: once dancing a tango in Brooks's 1976 Silent Movie, and again in Brooks's 1983 remake of To Be or Not to Be. Also, Brooks produced the 1980 film The Elephant Man, in which Bancroft acted. It is reported she was the one who encouraged Brooks to turn The Producers into a Broadway musical.

Related Topics:
1961 - Mel Brooks - Perry Como - Variety show - August 5 - 1964 - New York City Hall - Maximillian - 1972 - 1976 - Silent Movie - 1983 - To Be or Not to Be - 1980 - The Elephant Man - The Producers

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In 1980, she made her debut as a screenwriter and director in Fatso, in which she starred along with Dom DeLuise.

Related Topics:
1980 - Fatso - Dom DeLuise

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Bancroft died on June 6 2005 of uterine cancer aged 73 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, which surprised many people who had not even known that the very private actress was ill. Her husband held a memorial service for her some weeks later and advised the guests, including former co-star Patty Duke, who came all the way from her home in Idaho, which she rarely leaves, that if anyone felt like grieving, to "keep it to yourself". Bancroft was survived by her mother and two sisters.

Related Topics:
June 6 - 2005 - Uterine cancer - Mount Sinai Hospital - New York City - Patty Duke - Idaho

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