Danielle Spencer, Star of 'What’s Happening!!,' Dies at 60

Remembering Danielle Spencer:

A Child Star's Courageous Journey from Hollywood to the Vet Clinic

The world of classic television is mourning the loss of actress Danielle Spencer, who has died at the age of 60. The actress Danielle Spencer gained fame for her portrayal of the quick-witted Dee Thomas on the classic sitcom What’s Happening!! has died at 60. She passed away on Monday at a Richmond, Virginia, hospital, following an extended and courageous fight with cancer.

Despite facing immense personal challenges, she demonstrated great resilience throughout a life that included both a notable acting career and a long, successful career as a veterinarian.

According to her co-star and friend Haywood Nelson, she "fought for a very long time, but she did it with tremendous courage." Spencer’s life story is one of unwavering spirit, overcoming a devastating childhood accident, health crises, and a significant career shift to forge a powerful and inspiring legacy.

A Star is Born: The Unforgettable Dee Thomas

Born in June 1965, Danielle Spencer was raised in New York City and began acting at the young age of seven. She landed early roles in films like Serpico and Harry and Tonto, but her career-defining moment came when she was just 11 years old. She was cast as Dee Thomas on the sitcom What’s Happening!!, a show based on the 1975 film Cooley High.

The series, which aired from 1976 to 1979, followed the lives of three working-class teenagers in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Spencer played Dee, the sharp-witted younger sister of the main character Roger “Raj” Thomas, played by Ernest Thomas. Her character quickly became a fan favorite, largely thanks to her signature catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!”

In a 2014 interview with _Jet_ magazine, Spencer reflected on the significance of her role, noting, "I had never seen any young Black girl in that type of spotlight, so I didn’t have a reference point in the media as to how to deal with this opportunity." Instead, she looked inward. "I was from the Bronx," she explained. "What I did was use my own family as the reference on how to portray my character." This authenticity is what made Dee Thomas so memorable and endearing to audiences.

A Life Defined by Resilience and Tragedy

While Spencer's career was on a high note, her life was struck by tragedy during the show's second season. In September 1977, she and her stepfather, Tim Pelt, were involved in a severe five-car accident. Pelt was tragically killed, and Spencer was left with critical injuries. She suffered multiple broken bones, including her right leg, right arm, and pelvis, and was in a coma for three weeks.

The long-term effects of this accident would follow her throughout her life. In 2018, more than four decades after the crash, she underwent emergency brain surgery to remove a bleeding hematoma that was a lingering consequence of her injuries. This was just one of several health challenges she faced with remarkable strength.

In 2014, Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced the diagnosis head-on, undergoing a double mastectomy. Her courage in the face of these battles earned her the admiration of her loved ones. At one point, when she was without insurance, her friends and family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her medical expenses, a testament to the love and support she had garnered. The campaign successfully raised over $10,000, underscoring the outpouring of community support for the resilient actress.

From the Soundstage to the Vet Clinic

After the original sitcom ended, Spencer reprised her role as Dee in the sequel, _What’s Happening Now!!_, which had a three-season run that began in 1985. Following the cancellation of the sequel, she made a significant career change, moving to California to pursue a different passion: veterinary medicine. Her love for animals led her to enroll at the University of California, Davis, and later at the Tuskegee University Veterinary School.

For two decades, she dedicated herself to her work as a veterinarian, a career that showcased her intelligence and compassion far beyond the television screen. After relocating to Virginia, she found a way to merge her two passions, regularly running a pet-care segment for CBS affiliate WTVR-TV. This final chapter of her professional life was a perfect blend of the two paths she had so successfully navigated.

A Lasting Legacy and Heartfelt Tributes

Danielle Spencer's life was a master class in perseverance. She was a child star who didn't just survive the spotlight; she thrived and reinvented herself. She overcame profound physical and emotional trauma to become a respected professional in a completely different field. Her legacy is not just of a talented actress, but of a woman of immense strength and courage.

Haywood Nelson, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, shared a deeply personal and moving tribute to his friend. He referred to her as "Dr. Dee," and called her "our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail." He concluded his tribute with a powerful message: "We have lost a daughter, sister, family member. She was our Shero. She is loved, and while she will be missed, her memory will be forever embraced.

Her life serves as a powerful reminder that while her time on screen was relatively brief, her impact was enduring, and her spirit was unbreakable. She will be remembered not only for the sassy, confident girl who always threatened to tell Mama, but for the compassionate and courageous woman she became.