---
name: "Anne Bancroft"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/anne-bancroft"
fi1m_id: "anne-bancroft"
imdb_id: "nm0000843"
tmdb_id: 10774
wikidata_id: "Q183532"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 September 1931"
died: "6 June 2005"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-09-20T09:08:56.589865+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Anne Bancroft

## Identity

Anne Bancroft

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/anne-bancroft
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** anne-bancroft
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000843
- **TMDB ID:** 10774
- **Wikidata ID:** Q183532
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bancroft, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183532, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000843/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10774

Actor. Born 17 September 1931 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. Died 6 June 2005.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 September 1931, The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 6 June 2005
- **Active:** 1967–2000
- **Also known as:** アン・バンクロフト, Anna Maria Louisa Italiano
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 4 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 86 (1), 1970s 70 (1), 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 62 (1), 2000s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 75 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 3, Romance 3, History 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $186m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bancroft, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183532, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000843/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10774

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Graduate*](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md) (86), [*Great Expectations*](https://film.one/film/great-expectations-1998.md) (62)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Anne Bancroft

> Anne Bancroft brings physical force to Annie Sullivan and a knowing seductiveness to Mrs Robinson. We value the conflicting feelings she makes visible in formidable women, though some later performances push harder than the scene needs.

Anne Bancroft makes a character's inner conflict physical, through gestures that can be subtle or emphatic. As Annie Sullivan in *The Miracle Worker* (1962), her physical commitment is central to the performance, alongside its emotional demands. She had played Sullivan on stage in 1959 before the film brought her breakthrough on screen. That performance is a useful starting point for her work: Bancroft takes the woman's feelings as seriously as the strength required to keep going.

Mrs Robinson in *The Graduate* (1967) requires a different sort of strength. Bancroft's seductiveness comes with self-awareness, which keeps the woman from becoming merely an object of fascination. The role came to dominate her public image, but it is a narrow basis on which to judge her work. Her maternal and authoritative characters deserve attention too; seduction was only one use she found for that force.

The film of hers we recommend most warmly here is *The Elephant Man* (1980). As Mrs Kendal, Bancroft has a supporting place in David Lynch's historical drama, whose performances make its compassion convincing. We were moved by John Hurt's Merrick, who has a life beyond the pity directed at him. There is a limitation in the film's faith in good manners, which can make treating another person decently seem too simple. It is worth watching Bancroft in that company, rather than expecting every appearance to provide another defining role.

We are less persuaded by the broader acting that sometimes appears in her later work. In some films of the 1980s and 1990s, the performance can be too large for the screen, however effective that scale might be on stage. Playing Helene Hanff in *84 Charing Cross Road* (1987) gives her a quieter, character-led story and room for warmth. If Mrs Robinson is the only Bancroft you know, that is a sensible next stop.

## Biography

Anne Bancroft was an American actor. Born Anna Maria Louisa Italiano on 17 September 1931 in the Bronx, New York City, she died on 6 June 2005.

She began her career in film in the early 1950s before moving to New York, where her Broadway debut in *Two for the Seesaw* (1958) earned 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).

Bancroft received further acclaim for roles including Mrs Robinson in *The Graduate* (1967) and Mrs Kendal in *The Elephant Man* (1980). She also appeared in voice roles in *Antz* (1998) and episodes of *The Simpsons*.

*Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Anne Bancroft — [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *Great Expectations* (1998), Fi1m 62, as Ms. Dinsmoor — [page](https://film.one/film/great-expectations-1998.md)
- *The Elephant Man* (1980), Fi1m 84, as Mrs Kendal — [page](https://film.one/film/the-elephant-man.md)
- *The Turning Point* (1977), Fi1m 70, as Emma — [page](https://film.one/film/the-turning-point.md)
- *The Graduate* (1967), Fi1m 86, as Mrs. Robinson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Hollywood: No Sex, Please!* (2018), Actor
- *Delgo* (2008), as Sedessa (voice)
- *The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone* (2003), as Contessa
- *In Search of Peace* (2001), as Golda Meir (voice)
- *Heartbreakers* (2001), as Gloria Vogal
- *Haven* (2001), as Mama Gruber
- *Haven* (2001), series, as Mama Gruber
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Anne Bancroft — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *Keeping the Faith* (2000), as Ruth Schram
- *Up at the Villa* (2000), as Princess San Ferdinando
- *Deep in My Heart* (1999), as Gerry Cummins
- *Antz* (1998), as Queen (voice)
- *Mark Twain's America in 3D* (1998), as Narrator
- *Great Expectations* (1998), as Ms. Dinsmoor — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/great-expectations-1998.md)
- *Critical Care* (1997), as Nun
- *G.I. Jane* (1997), as Senator Lillian DeHaven
- *The Sunchaser* (1996), as Dr. Renata Baumbauer
- *Homecoming* (1996), as Abigail Tillerman
- *Dracula: Dead and Loving It* (1995), as Madame Ouspenskaya
- *Home for the Holidays* (1995), as Adele Larson
- *How to Make an American Quilt* (1995), as Glady Joe Cleary
- *The Mother* (1994), as Mrs. Fanning
- *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All* (1994), as Lucy Marsden (age 99-100)
- *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All* (1994), series, as Old Lucy Marsden
- *Mr. Jones* (1993), as Dr. Catherine Holland
- *Malice* (1993), as Mrs. Kennsinger
- *Point of No Return* (1993), as Amanda
- *Love Potion No. 9* (1992), as Madame Ruth
- *Honeymoon in Vegas* (1992), as Bea Singer
- *Mrs. Cage* (1992), as Mrs. Cage
- *Broadway Bound* (1992), as Kate Jerome
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Mrs. Fanning
- *Freddie and Max* (1990), series, as Max Chandler
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Dr. Zweig (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Bert Rigby, You're a Fool* (1989), as Meredith Perlestein
- *Torch Song Trilogy* (1988), as Ma Beckoff
- *84 Charing Cross Road* (1987), as Helene Hanff
- *'night, Mother* (1986), as Thelma Cates
- *Agnes of God* (1985), as Mother Miriam Ruth
- *Garbo Talks* (1984), as Estelle Rolfe
- *James Mason: The Star They Loved to Hate* (1984), as Jo Armitage (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *To Be or Not to Be* (1983), as Anna Bronski
- *Marco Polo* (1982), series, as Madre di Marco
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Mrs. Cage
- *The Elephant Man* (1980), as Mrs Kendal — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-elephant-man.md)
- *Fatso* (1980), as Antoinette · Writer, Director
- *The Turning Point* (1977), as Emma — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-turning-point.md)
- *Jesus of Nazareth* (1977), series, as Mary Magdalene
- *Silent Movie* (1976), as Anne Bancroft
- *Lipstick* (1976), as Carla Bondi
- *The Hindenburg* (1975), as Ursula
- *The Prisoner of Second Avenue* (1975), as Edna Edison
- *Young Winston* (1972), as Lady Jennie Churchill
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Mrs. Fanning
- *Annie: The Women in the Life of a Man* (1970), as Various
- *The Graduate* (1967), as Mrs. Robinson — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-graduate.md)
- *ABC Stage 67* (1966), series, as Virginia
- *The Slender Thread* (1965), as Inga Dyson
- *7 Women* (1965), as Dr. D.R. Cartwright
- *The Pumpkin Eater* (1964), as Jo Armitage
- *The Miracle Worker* (1962), as Annie Sullivan
- *The Girl in Black Stockings* (1957), as Beth Dixon
- *The Restless Breed* (1957), as Angelita
- *Invitation to a Gunfighter* (1957), as Julie Bickford
- *So Soon to Die* (1957), as Isobel Waring
- *Nightfall* (1956), as Marie Gardner
- *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Isabelle Rutledge
- *Walk the Proud Land* (1956), as Tianay
- *The Last Frontier* (1955), as Corinna Marston
- *The Naked Street* (1955), as Rosalie Regalzyk
- *A Life in the Balance* (1955), as María Ibinia
- *New York Confidential* (1955), as Kathy Lupo
- *Climax!* (1954), series, as Audrey, Elena Vallejo
- *The Raid* (1954), as Katy Bishop
- *Demetrius and the Gladiators* (1954), as Paula
- *Gorilla at Large* (1954), as Laverne Miller
- *The Kid from Left Field* (1953), as Marian Foley
- *Treasure of the Golden Condor* (1953), as Marie, Comtesse de St. Malo
- *Tonight We Sing* (1953), as Emma Hurok
- *Don't Bother to Knock* (1952), as Lyn Lesley
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Leah, Kendal Browning, Ann Sommers, Cathy, Lolita, Sally
- *The Man Who Had Influence* (1950), as Maria Cassini
- *Suspense* (1949), series, Actor
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Maria Cassini, Czechoslovakian Girl, Lisa Berzins

## Gallery

- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-36dbff8bb392.jpg) Anne Bancroft — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Anne_Bancroft_Chrysler_Theatre_1964_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Anne Bancroft in Don't Bother to Knock (1952)](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-45fda2d1f615.jpg) Publicity photo of Anne Bancroft in Don't Bother to Knock (1952) — Twentieth Century-Fox studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Anne_Bancroft_1952.jpg/1280px-Anne_Bancroft_1952.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![The marble grave of Anne Bancroft Brooks in Kensico Cemetery (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-2d008fa4baa2.jpg) The marble grave of Anne Bancroft Brooks in Kensico Cemetery (2011) — Anthony22, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Anne_Bancroft_Marble_Grave_2011.JPG/1280px-Anne_Bancroft_Marble_Grave_2011.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo of Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller in the broadway play The Miracle Worker. In this scene, Miss Sullivan tries to teach Hel](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-2d0ff05dac70.jpg) Photo of Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller in the broadway play The Miracle Worker. In this scene, Miss Sullivan tries to teach Hel — "The Miracle Worker", Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Anne_Bancroft_Patty_Duke_Miracle_Worker_1_1960.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-b0e5a9518800.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-0804223fd214.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-3116d4c4b814.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB
- ![Anne Bancroft and Henry Fonda during rehearsals for the Broadway play Two for the Seesaw. Photographed by Arthur Cantor in 1957. (2021)](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-731dcfcff352.jpg) Anne Bancroft and Henry Fonda during rehearsals for the Broadway play Two for the Seesaw. Photographed by Arthur Cantor in 1957. (2021) — GarboTalks, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Anne_Bancroft_and_Henry_Fonda_%28Two_for_the_Seesaw%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Co-Ed Drive-In theater advertisement for the American mystery film The Girl in Black Stockings (1957). From the 5 January 1958 Denton Record-Chronicle.](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-1736714de646.jpg) Co-Ed Drive-In theater advertisement for the American mystery film The Girl in Black Stockings (1957). From the 5 January 1958 Denton Record-Chronicle. — United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Co-Ed_Drive-In_Ad_-_5_January_1958%2C_Denton%2C_TX.jpg/1280px-Co-Ed_Drive-In_Ad_-_5_January_1958%2C_Denton%2C_TX.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-b9052d06fa08.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-dc4e4761450b.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB
- ![Anne Bancroft](https://film.one/media/person/103590/gallery-b2adc83d102d.jpg) Anne Bancroft — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 4 nominated

- 1986: Best Actress (nominated), for *Agnes of God*
- 1978: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Turning Point*
- 1968: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Graduate*
- 1965: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Pumpkin Eater*
- 1963: Best Actress (won), for *The Miracle Worker*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won, 4 nominated

- 1988: Best Actress in a Leading Role (won), for *84 Charing Cross Road*
- 1979: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Turning Point*
- 1976: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Prisoner of Second Avenue*
- 1973: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *Young Winston*
- 1969: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Graduate*

### Golden Globes — 2 won, 6 nominated

- 1986: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *'night, Mother*
- 1985: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *Agnes of God*
- 1984: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Garbo Talks*
- 1983: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *To Be or Not to Be*
- 1977: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *The Turning Point*
- 1967: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (won), for *The Graduate*
- 1964: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (won), for *The Pumpkin Eater*
- 1962: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *The Miracle Worker*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won, 5 nominated

- 2003: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone*
- 2001: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated)
- 1999: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Deep in My Heart*
- 1994: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All*
- 1992: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *American Playhouse*
- 1992: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Broadway Bound*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 3 nominated

- 2004: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone*
- 1997: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *Homecoming*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *How to Make an American Quilt*

### Cannes Film Festival — 1 won

- 1964: Best Actress (won), for *The Pumpkin Eater*

### Other awards — 6 won, 3 nominated

- Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film 2004: Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (nominated), for *The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1990: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Bert Rigby, You're a Fool*
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1978: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actress 1977: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress (won), for *The Turning Point*
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actress 1962: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress (won), for *The Miracle Worker*
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1960: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1960: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won)
- Theatre World Award 1958: Theatre World Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1958: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

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© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/anne-bancroft