A Tale of Two Stars: Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft

Let’s be real for a moment — on the surface, Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft couldn’t have been more different. Picture this: Anne was a statuesque beauty with a commanding presence, while Mel always joked about being short and, well, let’s just say "unconventionally handsome." And then there’s the whole matter of their ethnic differences — Mel, a proud Jewish comedian, and Anne, an Italian-American actress with a serious dramatic flair. Sounds like an unlikely match, right? But as Patrick McGillgan, the author of the biography Mel Brooks: Funny Man, told Closer Weekly, this couple proved opposites really do attract.

Laughter Through Tough Times

Now, here’s the thing. Anne once quipped, “When Mel told his Jewish mother he was marrying an Italian girl, she said, ‘Bring her over! I’ll be in the kitchen — with my head in the oven.’” It’s a joke, of course, but it speaks to the cultural hurdles they overcame. Despite their differences, their bond was forged not just by love but by shared struggles. Both had been through rocky first marriages — Anne with lawyer Martin May, and Mel with showgirl Florence Baum, who happened to be the mother of his first three children. McGillgan explained that Mel’s relentless drive and past indiscretions, including a torrid affair with the sultry Eartha Kitt, led to his first marriage unraveling. But out of those tough times, something beautiful emerged.

Anne Bancroft And Mel Brooks In 'To Be Or Not To Be' — Getty Images

Love at First Sight (Sort Of)

So how did these two icons of comedy and drama find each other? Well, it started in 1961 when Mel introduced himself to Anne, who had already made waves with her role in The Miracle Worker. She was guest-starring on The Perry Como Show, and Mel didn’t waste any time. McGilligan recounted, “He began to follow her around doggedly, and they clicked.” What made it work? Anne found Mel hilarious, adorable, and incredibly smart, while Mel admired her acting chops and thought she was stunning. It was a match made in Hollywood heaven.