10 years ago today, we lost the wonderful Anne Bancroft, a beautiful, earthy woman celebrated as glint of eye and sharp wit of tongue and, with Mel Brooks, one half of Hollywood's most talented double acts.
Her most memorable role was as the seductress Mrs Robinson in 'The Graduate', where she overwhelmed breakout star Dustin Hoffman with her potent brew of mystery, sensuality and an unhealthy amount of cigarette smoke.
How could he resist?
Anne Bancroft later rued that her success in the vampish role overshadowed all her other work, including winning an Oscar for her role as Hellen Keller's teacher in 'The Miracle Worker', and collecting Tony and Emmy Awards too. Her very final role was as herself in a 2004 episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'.
Strange but true: Despite her turn as Mrs Robinson becoming a prototype for the seductive older woman, inspiring a song by Simon and Garfunkel AND Dustin Hoffman's character in the film going on to date her daughter, Anne Bancroft was, in fact, only six years older than Dustin.
