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.
