The film and theatre communities lost an award-winning actress when Anne Bancroft died Monday, June 5 in New York of uterine cancer. Born in the Bronx in 1931, Bancroft’s acting career spanned 50 years. Ms. Bancroft won two Tony Awards and an Oscar during her hard-working and varied career on stage and screen. After a decade in supporting roles, Bancroft became a star in the film THE MIRACLE WORKER, for which she won the Academy Award. She did some of her best work in the Sixties, capped by the role she may be best remembered for, Mrs. Robinson in Mike Nichols THE GRADUATE.
Bancroft continued to work in film until just a few years ago. Some of the other notable films she has appeared in include GARBO TALKS, AGNES OF GOD, ‘NIGHT MOTHER, 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, and TORCH SONG TRILOGY during the 80’s; HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, G.I. JANE and ANTZ during the 90’s; and UP AT THE VILLA and KEEPING THE FAITH in 2000.
Here’s to you, Ms. Bancroft.