Background
The daughter of violinist Ludovicus Adolphus Bouwmeester and pianist Julie Marie Arpeau, Lily Bouwmeester was born in Amsterdam.
The daughter of violinist Ludovicus Adolphus Bouwmeester and pianist Julie Marie Arpeau, Lily Bouwmeester was born in Amsterdam.
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. 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. He had the desire of her becoming a housewife.
Bouwmeester, needing a break from acting, did what she was asked to and left the theatre.
However, she didn"t 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. However, she was noticed by director Ludwig Berger, who cast her in Pygmalion (1937).
lieutenant would be her first film since 1921.
Pygmalion grew out the be the most successful Dutch Pre-War film. She became an instant star and was offered a five-year contract with Paramount Pictures.
Instead, she remained acting in the biggest movie productions of the 1930s. Her following films all became box office hits, with only one exception.
Despite nearing the age of 40, she usually played teen girls or young women.
In 1940, her career ended abruptly, when World World War II broke out. During World 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.
She was also remembered for playing the lead role in the play Het Hemelbed in 1952. In 1969, she resigned from acting completely.
She died in 1993, at the age of 92. She was cremated in the Hague.