Said that director Arthur Penn had the greatest impact on her career.
Said that for many years after doing The Graduate (1967), young men would tell her that she was the first woman they had sexual fantasies about.
She and Mel Brooks married at New York City Hall, where a passer-by served as their witness.
She and Mel Brooks met on the set of a TV talk show, and Mel later paid a woman who worked on the show to tell him which restaurant Anne was going to eat at that night so he could "accidentally" bump into her again and strike up a conversation.
She received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in television. You can find the star at 6368 Hollywood Bld.
She said that at the start of her career, 20th Century-Fox thought that her real name--Anna Maria Italiano--was "too ethnic," and gave her several options for a new one. She chose Bancroft because she thought it sounded dignified.
She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City.
She was less than 6 years older than Dustin Hoffman, although in The Graduate (1967) her character is supposed to be more than twice his age. She was only 8 years older than Katharine Ross, who played her daughter in the film.
She, Mel Brooks and their son Max Brooks all are Emmy-winners.
Sisters: Joanne (older) and Phyllis (younger)
Son with Mel Brooks: Max Brooks, born 1972.
Turned down the role of Alice Hyatt in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974). The part went to Ellen Burstyn, who won a best actress Oscar for her performance.
Turned down the role of Annie Haworth in The Birds (1963). The part went to Suzanne Pleshette, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
Was a leading choice to play Aurora Greenway in Terms of Endearment (1983). The part went to Shirley MacLaine, who won a best actress Oscar for her performance.
Was offered the role of Chris MacNeil in The Exorcist (1973), but had to turn it down because she was pregnant. The part went to Ellen Burstyn.
Wisely turned down the chance to play Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest (1981). The role went to Faye Dunaway, who received a worst actress Razzie Award for her performance; Dunaway credits that film for ruining her career.