Lily Bouwmeester

Dutch theatre and film actress, who was crowned with a Golden Calf for being "the best actress in Pre-War Dutch cinema."

The daughter of violinist Ludovicus Adolphus Bouwmeester and pianist Julie Marie Arpeau, Lily Bouwmeester as a child toured with her parents through Europe, while preparing to become a violinist as well.

At the age of 14, she debuted in a theatre prodcuction of Herman Heijermans. In 1916, Bouwmeester started acting in silent films as well. She debuted in the film Majoor Frans (1916), which starred Annie Bos. In 1917, she landed a contract with a prestigious theatre in Amsterdam and performed at the Stadsschouwburg. She was praised by theatre critics and gained more acting experience.

While working on a play in 1920, she met actor Theo Frenkel Jr., whom she married to in 1921. She left the Stadsschouwburg to produce her own plays with her husband. They moved to the Hague in 1923 and performed in Rotterdam, where she became more famous.

Through the years, Bouwmeester developed in theatre and decided she was on her best at comedic roles. She and her husband divorced in 1933. Two years later, she married Cor van der Lugt Melsert, with whom she moved to Rotterdam. Ludwig Berger cast her in Pygmalion (1937), her first film since 1921. Pygmalion became one of the most successful Dutch Pre-War films.

She died on 12 July 1993, at the age of 91.