Antoinette Louw

Antoinette Wanda Louw was born on 9 May 1975 in Pretoria, South Africa. Her parents, Dap and Anet Louw, are both well known and respected professors in psychology. Her younger brother, also Dap, is a urologist. She grew up in Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark and Bloemfontein (where she did her senior year) - all university towns. During her childhood, she and her family frequently went to the U.S.A where her father was a visiting professor. She attended school in the states during different stages of her kindergarten, primary and senior years.

Antoinette starting acting at an early age, and got her first lead in a school play in grade 11. Antoinette Louw received her acting degree cum laude from the University of the Free State. During the three years she was awarded the André du Plessis Award for Best Second Year Drama Student, the South African Theatre Journal Award for Best Third Year Drama Student, the Elsa Krantz Award for Best Drama Student (of 1994-1996), the UFS Merit Bursory for Arts and Culture, and the UFS Honoury Colours for Arts and Culture.

After living and touring Europe (as well as living on the island Malta for a year), she went back to the theatre and film industry. Her debut was in 7de Laan, one South Africa's most popular day time dramas. But after two years she went back to her first love - theatre. Over the years she has shared the stage with some of South Africa's most respected actors, including Deon Lotz, Sandra Prinsloo and Zane Meas.

Her breakthrough role came in 2013 where she she played the female lead in internationally known crime writer Deon Meyer's film, Die Laaste Tango. For playing a photographer dying from cancer, she received the South African 'Oscar' - the Golden Horn for Best Actress in a Feature Film.

In 2016 Antoinette landed her first female lead in an international film, An Act of Defiance, based on the life of Bram Fischer and directed by Dutch director Jean van de Velde. An Act of Defiance is due to be released in 2017.