Anne Bancroft The Miracle Worker 1963

There is debate among many religious scholars as to whether Mary Magdalene was a prostitute or not. Franco Zeffirelli’s TV movie “Jesus of Nazareth” clearly depicts Mary Magdalene as a hooker. In her very first scene, the character exits the bed with a presumed client. In the scene below, the male character gets out of bed and pays her. Supposedly Elizabeth Taylor was offered the part, but it didn’t work out. Bancroft stepped in and infused the character with fierce intelligence. It would have been fascinating to see Elizabeth Taylor’s take on the role of Mary Magdalene.

To read more about other Oscar-winning actresses playing characters working in the sex trade industry, please continue perusing Oscar Hookers