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Lily Bouwmeester

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
16

Gender
Female

Birthday
September 28, 1901 (124 years old)

Place of Birth
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Lily Bouwmeester

Biography

Lily Geertruida Maria Henriëtte Bouwmeester (1901–1993) was a Dutch stage and film actress, who received an honorary Golden Calf for being "the best actress in Pre-War Dutch cinema".

The daughter of two musicians, Bouwmeester spent her youth touring Europe with her parents. When constant travelling proved to be too exhausting, she moved in with her aunt, actress Theo Mann-Bouwmeester. She dreamed to become a dancer, but her aunt demanded for her to become an actress and sent her to several auditions. At the age of 14, she debuted in a stage production by Herman Heijermans.

Bouwmeester made her screen debut in silent film Majoor Frans (1916). In 1917, she landed a contract with a prestigious theatre in Amsterdam and performed at the Stadsschouwburg, receiving much acclaim from theatre critics. While working on a play in 1920, she met actor Theo Frenkel Jr., whom she married in 1921. Soon after that she left the Stadsschouwburg to produce her own plays with her husband.

After her divorce in the early 30s, Bouwmeester decided she needed a break and left the theatre. She did not, however, give up acting. In 1935, when the sound film had just been introduced in the Netherlands, she auditioned for the lead role in The Cross-Patch (1935), but had no luck. She was noticed by director Ludwig Berger, who cast her in Pygmalion (1937). The production was a success; Bouwmeester became an instant star and was offered a five-year contract with Paramount Pictures. She declined, however, because her new husband, actor Cor van der Lugt Melsert, was unwilling to travel to the United States with her.

During World War II, Bouwmeester secretly took in two Jewish children in her home. After the liberation in 1945, she was offered movie roles again, but declined all offers. She decided to return to theatre instead and played in the famous stage production of Pygmalion. In 1969, she resigned from acting completely.

Known For

Acting

1940Somewhere in the Netherlandsas Nellie van Loon
1939Tomorrow It Will Be Betteras Willy Verhulst
1938Daddy Long Legsas Judy Aalders
1938Forty Yearsas Annetje Maasdonk
1937De man zonder hartas Hélène
1937Pygmalionas Elisa Doeluttel
1931Koffie Hag Spaart Hart en Zenuwenas
1921Zaken zijn zakenas Marion Deslise
1920Helleveegas Louise
1920Aan boord van de Sabineas
1919Het goudvischjeas Jeanne
1919The Devil in Amsterdamas Zusje van Thérèse
1918Pro Domoas Freule de Grancé
1917Ulbo Garvemaas Erna
1917The Secret of Delftas Lilly Vogel
1916Major Fransas Jonge Francis / Young Francis

Production