[1] Kjer's leading roles reflect the span of Denmark's modern cinema: such as the artistic maturity of the war-torn 1940s in Jenny and the Soldier, the light-hearted romance of the 1950s and 1960s in Mød mig på Cassiopeia, the action drama of the 1970s in Strømer, and the modern epic tale in Babette's Feast (1987).

Denmark's highest film prize, the Bodil Awards, were named in honor of Kjer and Bodil Ipsen.

In 1997, she accepted an honorary Bodil for lifetime achievement.

Bodil Valborg Karen Ellen Leland Kjer was born 2 September 1917 in Odense, Denmark.

She entered film in 1938 in Balletten danser [da].