Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Danny Verbiest (1945–2024), the voice of Samson and co-founder of Studio 100 with Gert Verhulst and Hans Bourlon, passed away at 79 on April 14, 2025. He created Samson and Gert in 1990.
Danny Verbiest, the voice of Samon and co-founder of Studio 100 with Gert Verhulst and Hans Bourlon, passed away last night on April 4, 2025, at the age of 79. He was a big part of Belgian entertainment. He helped make Samson and Gert and worked at Studio 100. A lot of people grew up watching Samson and Gert.
How did Danny Verbiest shape Flemish kids’ TV?
Danny Verbiest hasn’t been seen much in public lately. He only showed up a few times. But he came back to the spotlight for Studio 100’s 25th anniversary. He went to a special event at Plopsaland. Danny Verbiest surprised everyone when he showed up on the show “James De Musical.” He was in a wheelchair. He said that he wasn’t as strong as he used to be. He even joked that his “iron constitution” was a bit rusty. He had been struggling with his health for a while
Verbiest, Gert Verhulst, and Hans Bourlon were honored for their work at Studio 100. Studio 100 is a big company that makes shows for kids. But Verbiest wasn’t at the “30 Years of Samson and Gert” program. Verhulst said that Verbiest was going through some tough times. He also said that the COVID-19 pandemic might have made things harder for Verbiest.
Danny Verbiest played Samson for the last time in 2005. It was the 15th anniversary of the show “Samson en Gert.” He decided it was time to stop playing Samson. The role was hard on him. He had to do a lot of puppeteering and voice acting.
He also sold his share in Studio 100. He wanted to try new things. Verbiest still owns half of the “Samson en Gert” brand. He still has a say in how the show is run. Peter Thyssen played Samson after Verbiest. Dirk Bosschaert has played Samson since 2013.
Danny Verbiest didn’t stop working after he retired from playing Samson. In 2015, he said he could have taken time off, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to keep busy. He wanted to try new things. He made his animated show.
He started a travel agency. He loves to travel and he is good at business. He helped fix up a famous café. He wanted to save a piece of history. He wanted to be creative, start businesses, and help his community.
Danny Verbiest helped a lot of people. He was a big supporter of Villa Samson. It’s a special place at the University Hospital Brussels. Patients can visit their pets there. Even people without pets can go there for animal therapy.
Verbiest also helped with other projects at the hospital, like the Apple Garden and the Ronald McDonald House. He wanted to make people feel better when they were going through tough times.
Danny Verbiest became famous in Flemish children’s TV as the voice and puppeteer of Samson, the talking dog. Samson first appeared on BRT television in 1989 and quickly became popular, leading to the show “Samson en Gert” in 1990.
Verbiest’s voice, funny timing, and puppet skills made Samson a big hit. At its peak, the show made 150 episodes a year. He was Samson’s voice until he retired in 2005. He was proud to be known as Samson and loved the character.
Verbiest says,
“I am still proud when people address me as Samson. That means that the dog meant something in their lives and colored a part of their youth.
And that’s why I did it.”
In 1996, Danny Verbiest started a new company called Studio 100 with Gert Verhulst and Hans Bourlon. This company made TV shows, musicals, movies, theme parks, and lots of toys for kids. Verbiest helped make shows like Kabouter Plop, Piet Piraat, and Spring.
He also helped make musicals like “De 3 Biggetjes” for K3. Even though he stopped working in the spotlight, Studio 100 still uses his ideas. Verbiest made many kids happy with his creativity and kindness.
Danny Verbiest wrote many stories for the show Samson and Gert.” He got ideas for the characters from people he knew. Samson was based on his youngest daughter. She talked funny because she was surrounded by adults. He also got ideas for other characters from his friends and family.
Verbiest, before Samson and Gert, was a teacher, a puppeteer, an artist, and an actor. He started his own puppet theater called “Malpertuus.” It was the first Belgian group to perform in China in 1981. He became a TV star by hosting a show called “Kameleon.” He taught kids how to make things on the show. They also talked about gardening and cooking.
“Kameleon” was a popular kids’ show from 1983 to 1993. Verbiest stopped after 127 episodes. He liked puppet theater better, and the show’s producer, Davidse, wanted to retire. Verbiest was on the show “Bassie en Adriaan” twice after “Kameleon” ended. Then, he started working on Samson and Gert.
