René van der Gijp on Maarten Spanjer: 'Forty years of friendship is a long time'
René van der Gijp has expressed his grief following the death of his close friend and actor Maarten Spanjer, with whom he shared a forty-year bond. During a podcast, Van der Gijp and other colleagues shared personal anecdotes, highlighting both the depth of their long friendship and Spanjer's signature sense of humor.
René van der Gijp recently shared his grief regarding the passing of his long-time friend, actor Maarten Spanjer. Reflecting on their four-decade bond during a podcast, Van der Gijp described their relationship as one built on frequent phone calls to discuss life, marriage, and friendship. Whenever the two met in person, they often spent their time together dining, going out, or boating, noting that these outings occasionally grew quite chaotic. Other colleagues, including Wim Kieft and Michel van Egmond, also paid tribute to Spanjer’s memory.
During his emotional recollection, Van der Gijp highlighted the late actor's humorous perspective on life and death. He recounted a specific, memorable statement Spanjer once made regarding his future tombstone inscription. According to Van der Gijp, Spanjer jokingly suggested that his gravestone should read that he was not lying there for his own amusement either. This anecdote captured the lighthearted spirit that defined their deep and enduring connection over the last forty years.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
