By Staff
She will be forever known as Mrs. Robinson.
Actress Anne Bancroft, 73, died on Monday, leaving behind a legacy of film roles that will always be remembered.
Despite having plenty of outstanding roles, her seduction of Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 film "The Graduate" still stands out among them.
Bancroft's portrait of the "older" woman who seduces her daughter's boyfriend was extremely controversial for the times.
She was nominated for five Oscars, but only won once.
Bancroft was known for the intelligence she brought to her roles, as well as her subtle sense of humor.
Besides "The Graduate," Bancroft's other top roles came in "The Miracle Worker," "The Turning Point," "'Night Mother" and "Garbo Talks."
In "The Miracle Worker" Bancroft played Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher.
Her portrayal of Sullivan won Bancroft her only Oscar.
In "The Turning Point" Bancroft played a ballet star opposite Shirley MacLaine.
Bancroft was Sissy Spacek's mother in "'Night Mother," where she played a desperate mother who tries to keep her depressed daughter from ending her life.
In "Garbo Talks" Bancroft played Estelle Rolfe, who has a brain tumor, whose dying wish was to meet Greta Garbo.
There are very few actresses these days who could pull off all of those roles over a career, no matter how long.
She had dignity and class which she carried with her throughout her life.
Bancroft starred in 65 films, many of which were able to make a statement.
Bancroft's 40-year marriage to actor/producer Mel Brooks is as impressive as her list of starring roles.
Perhaps one of Hollywood's strangest pairings, Bancroft and Brooks met in 1961 on the Perry Como Show and were devoted to each other. They had a son, Max, in 1972.
Brooks is currently working on a musical version of his movie "The Producers," which was Bancroft's idea.
She had passion, she had poise and she had a career that will be remembered as one of the greatest in Hollywood history. "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?" Hoffman's Benjamin Braddock asked in "The Graduate."
She certainly seduced us.