Net Worth Ranker
What Is Anne Bancroft’s Net Worth?
At the time of her passing in 2005, Anne Bancroft, a celebrated American actress, writer, and director, had a net worth of $50 million. This figure represents the combined net worth she shared with her husband of many years, the renowned comedian Mel Brooks. Throughout her distinguished career, Anne Bancroft garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards, solidifying her status as a versatile and accomplished performer.
Anne Bancroft’s Illustrious Career: A Deep Dive
Anne Bancroft’s acting career spanned over 80 credits, showcasing her versatility and talent across various genres and mediums. One of her most iconic roles was in “The Miracle Worker” (1962), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her performance as Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate” (1967) earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination, cementing her status as a leading actress of her time. Other notable film appearances include “The Pumpkin Eater” (1964), “The Turning Point” (1977), “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Agnes of God” (1985), “84 Charing Cross Road” (1987), “How to Make an American Quilt” (1995), “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” (1995), “Keeping the Faith” (2000), and “Heartbreakers” (2001). These films showcased her ability to portray diverse characters with depth and nuance.
Beyond film, Anne Bancroft also made significant contributions to television. She starred in the miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977) and “Marco Polo” (1982), further expanding her reach and audience. In addition to miniseries, she also starred in TV movies such as “Broadway Bound” (1992) and “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” (1994). These roles allowed her to explore different aspects of her craft and connect with viewers on a more personal level.
Anne Bancroft’s talent extended beyond acting. She demonstrated her creative vision by writing and directing the 1976 short film “The August” and the 1980 film “Fatso.” These projects allowed her to express her unique perspective and showcase her skills as a filmmaker. While specific financial details related to these projects aren’t publicly available, they undoubtedly contributed to her overall financial success.
Anne Bancroft’s impact on Broadway was undeniable. She appeared in several productions, including “Two for the Seesaw” (1958), “The Miracle Worker” (1959), “Mother Courage and Her Children” (1963), “The Devils” (1965), “The Little Foxes” (1967), “A Cry of Players” (1968), “Golda” (1977), and “Duet for One” (1981). Her performances in these plays earned her critical acclaim and recognition from the theater community. She won Tonys for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “Two for the Seesaw” and Best Actress in a Play for “The Miracle Worker,” and she received a Best Actress in a Play nomination for “Golda.” These accolades underscore her talent and dedication to the craft of acting. In recognition of her contributions to the theater, Anne Bancroft was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1992, a testament to her lasting legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Anna Maria Louisa Italiano, who later became known as Anne Bancroft, was born on September 17, 1931, in New York City. Her parents, Michael, a dress pattern maker, and Mildred, a telephone operator, were Italian immigrants who provided a loving and supportive environment for their daughter. Anne grew up in a Roman Catholic household with her two sisters, which instilled in her strong values and a sense of community. She attended Christopher Columbus High School, graduating in 1948, which laid the foundation for her future academic and professional pursuits. Following high school, Anne pursued her passion for acting by studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the HB Studio. She also attended the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women at UCLA, which further broadened her skills and knowledge of the entertainment industry.
Early in her career, Anne performed under the name Anne Marno. However, at the insistence of studio executive Darryl Zanuck, she changed her surname to Bancroft, believing it sounded more dignified and befitting of a rising star. This decision marked a turning point in her career, setting the stage for her future success. In 1952, Anne Bancroft made her film debut in “Don’t Bother to Knock,” alongside Marilyn Monroe, which provided her with invaluable experience and exposure to the world of Hollywood. She followed this role with appearances in films such as “Tonight We Sing” (1953), “Treasure of the Golden Condor” (1953), “The Kid from Left Field” (1953), “Gorilla at Large” (1954), “Demetrius and the Gladiators” (1954), “New York Confidential” (1955), “A Life in the Balance” (1955), “The Naked Street” (1955), “The Last Frontier” (1955), “Nightfall” (1956), and “The Girl in Black Stockings” (1957). These early roles helped her hone her acting skills and establish herself as a versatile performer.
During the early years of her career, Anne Bancroft also made appearances on television shows such as “The Adventures of Ellery Queen” (1951), “Danger” (1951), “The Goldbergs” (1951), “Omnibus” (1953), “Climax!” (1956–1957), “Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatre” (1957), and “The Frank Sinatra Show” (1958). These guest appearances allowed her to reach a wider audience and showcase her talent in a variety of genres.
Later Career Highlights and Recognition
After winning an Academy Award for her portrayal of Anne Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker” in 1962, Anne Bancroft continued to take on challenging and diverse roles. She was nominated for playing Jo Armitage in 1964’s “The Pumpkin Eater” and Mrs. Robinson in 1967’s “The Graduate.” These nominations further solidified her reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. In the 1970s, she appeared in films such as “Young Winston” (1972), “Blazing Saddles” (1974), “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (1975), “The Hindenburg” (1975), and “Lipstick” (1976). Her versatility was further recognized with her fourth Academy Award nomination for 1977’s “The Turning Point”. In 1977, Anne Bancroft played Mary Magdalene in the miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth.”
The 1980s and 1990s brought continued success for Anne Bancroft. She starred in films such as “The Elephant Man” (1980), “To Be or Not to Be” (1983), “Garbo Talks” (1984), “Agnes of God” (1985), “‘night, Mother” (1986), “84 Charing Cross Road” (1987), “Torch Song Trilogy” (1988), and “Bert Rigby, You’re a Fool” (1989). In the 1990s, she appeared in TV movies such as “Broadway Bound” (1992), “Mrs. Cage” (1992), “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” (1994), “Homecoming” (1996), “Deep in My Heart” (1999), “Haven” (2001), and “The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone” (2003), showcasing her talent for portraying complex characters in a variety of settings. She also guest-starred as herself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2004), demonstrating her willingness to poke fun at herself and her public persona.
Anne Bancroft also starred in the films “Honeymoon in Vegas” (1992), “Love Potion No. 9” (1992), “Point of No Return” (1993), “Malice” (1993), “How to Make an American Quilt” (1995), “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” (1995), “G.I. Jane” (1997), “Great Expectations” (1998), “Keeping the Faith” (2000), and “Heartbreakers” (2001). These roles allowed her to explore different genres and work with a variety of talented actors and directors. She also lent her voice to the character of Queen Ant in the 1998 computer-animated film “Antz,” demonstrating her versatility as a performer. Anne Bancroft’s final film was 2008’s “Delgo,” in which she voiced Empress Sedessa, leaving a lasting impression on audiences with her distinctive voice and talent.
Personal Life, Marriage to Mel Brooks, and Death
Anne Bancroft’s personal life was as rich and fulfilling as her professional career. She was married to lawyer Martin May from July 1953 to February 1957. Later, she met Mel Brooks in 1961, and they married at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau on August 5, 1964. Their marriage was a testament to their love and compatibility, lasting until Anne’s death in 2005. On May 22, 1972, the couple welcomed their son, Max Brooks, who has become a successful author known for books such as “The Zombie Survival Guide” (2003) and “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War” (2006). “World War Z” was adapted into a film starring Brad Pitt in 2013. The success of her son is a further testament to the positive and supportive environment that Anne Bancroft created for her family.
In her memoir “Tales of a Hollywood Housewife” (2010), Betty Marvin, the ex-wife of actor Lee Marvin, claimed that Marvin and Bancroft had an affair while they were filming 1954’s “Gorilla at Large” and 1955’s “A Life in the Balance.” These claims, however, have not been independently verified and remain a matter of speculation.
On June 6, 2005, Anne Bancroft passed away from uterine cancer at Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Hospital at the age of 73. Her death was a loss to the entertainment industry and to her many fans around the world. She was laid to rest near her father at Valhalla’s Kensico Cemetery, and her mother was interred there five years later. In a 2021 interview with “People” magazine, Mel Brooks said of his late wife, “Living this life without her is not easy. There were a lot of great kisses and great spaghetti.” His words reflect the deep love and affection that they shared throughout their marriage.
Awards, Nominations, and Legacy
Anne Bancroft’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. She was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Miracle Worker” in 1963. Her other nominations were for Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Pumpkin Eater” (1965), “The Graduate” (1968), “The Turning Point” (1978), and “Agnes of God” (1986). In addition to her Academy Award wins and nominations, Anne Bancroft received eight Golden Globe nominations, taking home the prize for Best Actress – Drama for “The Pumpkin Eater” and Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for “The Graduate.” These awards reflect her versatility and ability to excel in a variety of genres.
Out of seven Primetime Emmy nominations, she won two: Outstanding Variety or Musical Program – Variety and Popular Music for “Annie, the Women in the Life of a Man” (1970) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Deep in My Heart” (1999). These awards recognize her talent and contributions to television, further solidifying her status as a versatile and accomplished performer. Anne Bancroft won BAFTA Awards for Best Foreign Actress for “The Miracle Worker” and “The Pumpkin Eater” as well as Best Actress for “84 Charing Cross Road”.
“The Miracle Worker” also earned Anne Best Actress awards from the National Board of Review and the San Sebastián International Film Festival, and she was named Best Actress for “The Pumpkin Eater” at the Cannes Film Festival. She won a National Board of Review award for Best Actress for “The Turning Point” in 1977, and in 1986, she earned a Best Actress award for “Agnes of God” at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Anne Bancroft was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy at the 1996 American Comedy Awards, and she was inducted into the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame in the Acting category in 2008. In 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which serves as a permanent reminder of her contributions to the entertainment industry and her lasting legacy.
