Antoinette Wanda Louw was born on May 9, 1975, in Pretoria, South Africa, to parents Dap and Anet Louw, both renowned professors of psychology. Her younger brother, also named Dap, is a respected urologist. Growing up in university towns such as Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark, and Bloemfontein, Antoinette frequently traveled to the United States with her family, where her father was a visiting professor, and attended school during different stages of her kindergarten, primary, and senior years.
Antoinette's passion for acting began at an early age, and she landed her first lead role in a school play during grade 11. She later received her acting degree cum laude from the University of the Free State, where she was awarded numerous accolades, including the André du Plessis Award, the South African Theatre Journal Award, the Elsa Krantz Award, the UFS Merit Bursary, and the UFS Honoury Colours for Arts and Culture.
After living and touring Europe, and spending a year on the island of Malta, Antoinette returned to the theatre and film industry. Her debut was in the popular South African daytime drama 7de Laan, but she soon returned 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.
Antoinette's breakthrough role came in 2013 when she played the female lead in the film Die Laaste Tango, based on the works of internationally known crime writer Deon Meyer. Her portrayal of a photographer dying from cancer earned her 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. The film is set to be released in 2017.
