Maarten Spanjer dies aged 73

Dutch actor and writer Maarten Spanjer has died aged 73 from cancer, broadcaster KRO-NCRV said on Saturday. The broadcaster said it was saddened by his death and paid tribute to his work on television. [1]

Spanjer first appeared disguised as a taxi driver in 1993, interviewing passengers for the programme *Taxi*. The series became a hit and won the European television award Rose d’Or in 1995, according to Nieuws.nl. He also appeared in KRO-NCRV’s *Uit de school geklapt* and the sitcom *Toen was geluk heel gewoon*. [1]

“He had a special way of getting people talking and made television that touched people,” KRO-NCRV said in a statement to the ANP news agency. The broadcaster sent its condolences to his family and loved ones. [1]

Spanjer also wrote several books, beginning in 1986. Titles included *Eigen schuld*, *Moedeloos voorwaarts*, *Maarten maakt vrienden* and *Geluk is een herinnering*. [1]