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Woman's World

More Than 'Mrs. Robinson' — Take a Look at These Photos of Anne Bancroft Over the Years

Raquel Lekic
3 min read
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Let the record show, Anne Bancroft is more than just "Mrs. Robinson" — And the New York born actress had the resume, awards and accolades to prove it.

Born Anna Maria Louisa Italiano, a young Anne Bancroft got her start acting in live television productions like The Goldbergs. In 1952, however, she made her way to the big screen in Don't Bother to Knock alongside none other than Marilyn Monroe.

MUST-READ: Young Marilyn Monroe: Rare Early Photos of Hollywood’s Most Captivating Star

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By 1958, she made her Broadway debut in Two for the Seesaw — and how many people can say they earned a Tony in their very first foray into the scene? Anne Bancroft can!

Her stage work in the following year earned her yet another statue at the 1960 Tony Awards for her portrayal of Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Fun fact: she reprised the role in a film version in 1962 and brought home an Academy Award.)

MUST-READ: And the Best Dressed Oscar Goes To… These 5 Groundbreaking Gowns From Academy Awards Past

Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, The Miracle Worker, 1962
Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, The Miracle Worker, 1962
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

MUST-READ: ‘The Patty Duke Show’ Cast: Here’s What Happened to the Stars of the Hit 60s Sitcom

Anne Bancroft in The Graduate and beyond

In 1967, she took on one of her most surprisingly iconic roles alongside Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Her character of Mrs. Robinson, a woman who seduces the young son of her husband's colleague, remains influential to this day and even earned her an Academy Award nod.

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In the wake of the film's success, Bancroft's career continued to flourish, earning additional Oscar nominations for films like The Turning Point (1977) and Agnes of God (1985), an Emmy nomination for Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994) and Tony nods for her stage work as well.

MUST-READ: Jessica Walter — Her Life and Career, From Broadway To ‘Arrested Development’ and Beyond!

In 2005, the famed actress sadly passed away of uterine cancer, however, we still remember her fondly to this day. Take a look at some of our favorite photos of Anne Bancroft over the years.

1950: Sparkles and a smile

Anne Bancroft, 1950
Anne Bancroft, 1950
Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images

In a sparkly red ensemble, Bancroft embodies a true movie star.

1953: Anne stuns in a swimsuit

Anne Bancroft, 1953
Bancroft, 1953
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The actress looks on in a polka-dotted bathing suit in this shot from 1953 in Los Angeles.

1953: A captivating grin

Anne Bancroft, 1953
Bancroft in 1953
Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Bancroft is a beauty in this smiling snapshot.

1954: Bancroft in a boa

The actress in 1953
The actress in 1953
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The starlet looks fab in some fur!

1959: Getting into character

The actress in 1959
The actress in 1959
Trascendental Graphics/Getty Images

Bancroft prepares backstage before a performance of The Miracle Worker in 1959. Her role of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher, earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

1965: Phone a friend

Anne Bancroft, 1965
Bancroft poses in 1965
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The actress poses in this still for her film The Slender Thread.

1967: Anne Bancroft brings to life Mrs. Robinson

Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, The Graduate, 1967
Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, The Graduate, 1967
FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images

Anne Bancroft lays beside Dustin Hoffman in this scene from The Graduate.

1967: On screen icon

The actress in 1967
The actress in 1967
Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

A publicity shot from The Graduate, Anne Bancroft brings the glamour. Fun fact: although this part had her playing the "older woman," the actress was a mere 36-years-old at the time.

1977: Anne Bancroft the ballerina

Anne Bancroft, The Turning Point, 1977
Bancroft in The Turning Point, 1977
Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images

Anne Bancroft laces up her point shoes in this still from the 1977 film, The Turning Point. The actress stars opposite Shirley MacLaine in this motion picture.

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MUST-READ: ‘What a Way to Go!’ — A Look Back at Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke and more!


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