Born Anna Maria Louisa Italiano in the Bronx, NY; trained at AADA and the Actors Studio, New York. Intelligent, multi-award-winning performer who after considerable TV work went to Hollywood as a 20th Century-Fox starlet. Bancroft appeared in B features before returning to New York and making a name for herself as a serious Broadway actress in Two For the Seesaw (1958) and The Miracle Worker (1960). When she returned to Hollywood for the film version of the latter in 1962, Bancroft was in demand as a mature dramatic star of emotional depth as well as a deft comedienne, and she appeared in a string of popular and critical successes lasting through the 1980s. Standout Bancroft films include THE GRADUATE (1967) -- as the wealthy seductress Mrs. Robinson -- THE TURNING POINT (1977) and AGNES OF GOD (1985). She made her directing and screenwriting debut with the 1979 comedy, FATSO. Married from 1964 until her death in 2005 to Mel Brooks, with whom she co-starred in SILENT MOVIE (1976) and TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1983).  Actress 1962: THE MIRACLE WORKER  Nominated for Actress 1964: THE PUMPKIN EATER  Nominated for Actress 1967: THE GRADUATE  Nominated for Actress 1977: THE TURNING POINT  Nominated for Actress 1985: AGNES OF GOD 5 nominations, 1 Award