Annie Bos

Biography

Annie Bos was born on December 10, 1886 to painter Gerard Jan Bos and his wife Aletta Gertruda Maria Halberstadt. She studied drama in Antwerp and debuted in Dutch theaters in 1909. She only played small roles and bit parts, until she was discovered by director Maurits Binger in 1912, who immediately cast her in De Levende Ladder (1913). Bos signed with film studio Hollandia and soon became the leading lady of its studio. The films she appeared in were usually released in France and Germany as well and some even made it to American cinemas. The public praised her for using real emotions in front of the camera, rather than melodrama. By 1914, she was called the Dutch Asta Nielsen. One of her biggest film roles, was Majoor Frans (1916). She became a national celebrity and was recognized as the first movie star of its country. Bos soon had more acting opportunities and chose her roles carefully. She proved her acting talents in films, such as Het Geheim van Delft (1917) and Een Carmen van het Noorden (1919). She performed all her own stunts. For 'Het Geheim van Delft' (1917), she was required to be tied to a windmill at a height of 40 meters. Hollandia fell apart in 1919 and to avoid bankruptcy, they worked with an English movie studio. They ordered to get Bos fired, because they thought she was too old. Bos was asked by an American movie studio to make films there. They were planning on remaking 'Een Carmen van het Noorden', which was released in the United States and became a huge success. Bos arrived in New York in 1921, but discovered the movie studio was broken down. She stayed for a year, trying to get acting jobs in movies. She had no luck, however. After appearing next to Pearl White in Without Fear (1922), she traveled to Germany, in hope to have more luck there. It turned out to be a disappointment as well. By 1924, Bos moved back to the Netherlands. Alex Benno, an old friend, casted her in Mooi Juultje van Volendam (1924), which became a huge failure in box office. She decides to retire from movies and pursued a career in stage. She was casted in 'Madame Dubarry', which premiered in 1924 and became a great success. Bos retired from acting completely in 1925 to become a housewife. She married Cornelis Loeff and refused to ever talk about her acting career again. She was forgotten entirely by the public. Her death in 1975 went by unnoticed by the press.