**Anne Bancroft** (New York, 1931 – 2005) was an American actress known for her portrayals of complex and strong-willed women.

She reached her peak with an Academy Award for Best Actress for *The Miracle Worker* (1962), in the role of teacher Annie Sullivan. However, it was the iconic role of Mrs. Robinson in *The Graduate* (1967) that cemented her status as a symbol of the mature, seductive, and unattainable woman, earning her another Oscar nomination.

Her distinctive style was evident in her ability to bring intelligent, intense, and often tormented characters to the screen, endowed with a subtle yet powerful sensuality. Among her other significant films are *The Pumpkin Eater* (1964), *Night Falls on Manhattan* (1996), and *84 Charing Cross Road* (1987). Bancroft remained a benchmark for her dramatic intensity and versatility.