nuAug 28, 2026, 06:32

Maarten Spanjer has cancer: 'Not afraid to die at all'

Actor Maarten Spanjer has publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis but maintains a composed, philosophical outlook on his health. He will document his experiences with the illness and his ongoing treatment in a new weekly column for the newspaper De Telegraaf.

Dutch actor Maarten Spanjer, widely known for his roles in the cult film Spetters and television programs such as Taxi and Voetbal '80, has announced that he is suffering from cancer. Despite his diagnosis, the actor remains remarkably calm and philosophical about his health situation, noting that he does not fear death because he has always viewed life as a strange joke to be enjoyed. He continues to undergo medical treatment and observation, though he acknowledges experiencing lower energy levels, which he attributes to his age.

To share his personal journey with the public, Spanjer will begin writing a weekly column for the newspaper De Telegraaf. The project originally began as an idea for a book, but shifted into a regular journalistic series detailing his experiences. He reports feeling relatively well as he moves forward with his treatment and writing commitments.

Culture Health Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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