Joop van den Ende, one of the most influential figures in European entertainment, has revealed that he remains deeply involved in creative work at the age of 84, with projects already planned several years into the future.
In a new interview published by Dutch newspaper AD, the theater and television producer spoke openly about aging, his career, his health and the technology that now helps him turn ideas into written material.
RTL Nieuws also reported on his comments about continuing to make ambitious plans despite knowing that, at his age, time cannot be taken for granted.
ChatGPT helps him overcome dyslexia
One particularly personal revelation concerns Van den Ende's use of ChatGPT.
Van den Ende has severe dyslexia, which has made writing difficult throughout his life. He explained that he can now speak his ideas and use ChatGPT to help transform those thoughts into written material.
The producer uses the tool when developing stories, musicals and business concepts.
He has also used it for more personal writing. Businesswise previously reported that Van den Ende had created more than 100 poems during the past year, exploring his emotions and experiences as he grows older.
He is planning projects for 2030
Retirement does not appear to be part of Van den Ende's immediate plans.
The veteran producer remains involved in preparations for the return of The Phantom of the Opera to the Netherlands in 2028.
He is also working on Surabaya Dreams, a musical expected around 2030.
That means Van den Ende is making professional plans that extend well into his late eighties.
RTL Nieuws reports that he is realistic about his age and understands that life can change quickly. Yet he continues working because creating new productions remains an important part of who he is.
He speaks openly about getting older
Van den Ende has neuropathy in his legs and uses a walker.
Despite those physical limitations, he says he continues to feel energetic and mentally engaged.
He has pointed to longevity in his family, noting that his brother is 90 and his late sister lived to 89.
His comments reveal a man who is conscious of mortality without allowing it to dominate his daily life.
Instead, he continues to focus on new projects, theater and the creative work that has defined his career for decades.
From Endemol to a global entertainment career
Van den Ende's career stretches across more than six decades.
He became one of the biggest figures in Dutch television before joining John de Mol to establish Endemol, which developed into an international entertainment powerhouse.
He later built Stage Entertainment into one of Europe's major theater production companies.
His businesses have been connected to major television formats and theatrical productions across numerous countries.
Van den Ende and his wife Janine have also invested heavily in arts and culture. Recent reporting about his career has put their contributions to cultural initiatives at around €250 million.
Still creating at 84
Van den Ende's latest interview offers an unusual glimpse into how one of Europe's best known entertainment entrepreneurs approaches the final stages of a long career.
He has physical limitations and openly acknowledges that he does not know how many productive years remain.
But his calendar still stretches toward 2030.
For Van den Ende, continuing to create appears to matter more than trying to predict how much time he has left.
At 84, the producer who spent decades building television and theater businesses is still looking for the next story, the next musical and the next idea worth turning into reality.
