Anna Maria Louise Italiano, who changed her name to Anne Bancroft for theatrical purposes, passed away at the age of 73. What a wonderful actress and, more importantly, strong supporter of human rights she was. Personal note: following one of my mother's strokes, to rebuild her strength we would go walking down by the Pacific Palisades in Santa Monica and would often see Ms. Bancroft jogging. After a few weeks, mom no longer needed to use her walker for support & on the first where she didn't need it, Ms. Bancroft stopped jogging--for a moment--patted my mom's shoulder and told her it was good to see her make progress & then jogged off again.

~Adam

[ June 07, 2005, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: Adam ]

That's such a sweet story. Those stars who realize that they're still human beings and not really any better than other human beings are the best stars of all. May Anne Bancroft rest in peace.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Robinson in person, but I always got the sense from her acting on screen that however high she rose in the acting world, she always remembered that she put her pants on one leg at a time.

Thanks for sharing that story, Adam. Makes her passing all the sadder to me.

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson. frown

I will always remember Anne Bancroft for her role in "Torch Song Trilogy". She was an incredibly talented, gifted woman.

Wow, what a neat story Adam...thanks for sharing.

I've always admired her ability to consume and absorb her roles. She was always a woman of many faces that had the incredible ability to adapt to her character with grace and ease.

The films that I've seen her in and enjoyed:
Spanglish (which I just saw last week), Antz, G.I. Jane, Home for the Holidays, How to Make An American Quilt, Malice, Torch Song Trilogy, 'Night Mother, Agnes of God, Garbo Talks, Nightfall, The Miracle Worker (she was amaing in this role), The Hindenberg, Lipstick, The Elephant Man, To Be or Not to Be, The Turning Point, Silent Movie, and, my all-time favorite film....The Graduate!!

It was so sad to hear about her passing yesterday. I remember being shocked when I found out that she was married to Mel Brooks - I mean, the classic dramatic actress married to the director of "Blazing Saddles"? She must have had a great sense of humor.

Her range was absolutely incredible - from the dedicated and tough Annie Sullivan (CNN mistakenly reported she won her Oscar for playing Helen Keller) to the bitter and lonely Mrs. Robinson to the aging prima donna making peace with her past in "the Turning Point" - amazing performances all.

RIP

Her filmography shows her great range as an actress. My favorite will always be "Miracle Worker," which was a real sensation when it came out. I smiled when I saw she had a role in "Demetrius and the Gladiator," as well as a bit part in "Blazing Saddles." RIP.

God speed, girl. You were Fabulous!