Anna Maria Louisa Italiano was born on September 17, 1931, in the Bronx, New York, to Mildred DiNapoli and Michael Italiano. Both of her parents were Italian immigrants who came from Muro Lucano, Potenza, Italy. Anne had always taken an interest in acting and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City where she went by the name Anne Marno.

In 1952, Anne was cast in her first film, Don't Bother to Knock, which co-starred Marilyn Monroe. The film's studio changed her surname to Bancroft, and the actress used this new last name in all auditions and credits. Her television and film career stalled in the following years, but returned to New York City and found success and fame on Broadway.

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