Danielle Spencer, the talented actress who captured hearts as Dee Thomas on the iconic sitcom ‘What’s Happening!!’, has sadly passed away at the age of 60. Her journey was marked by both triumphs and challenges, showcasing her resilience and passion for life.
Danielle Spencer: A Tribute to the Star of ‘What’s Happening!!’
Danielle Spencer, who portrayed the spirited Dee Thomas on the beloved 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, has passed away at the age of 60. Her co-star, Haywood Nelson, confirmed her death on Monday in a Richmond, Virginia hospital.
Health Struggles and Courage
Spencer bravely battled breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy in 2014, followed by emergency surgery in 2018 to address bleeding on her brain. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with her medical expenses. Nelson remarked, “She suffered for a very long time but did it with a great deal of courage.”
Career Highlights
What’s Happening!! was co-produced by Bud Yorkin, known for All in the Family, and was inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High. The show debuted in August 1976 and quickly gained popularity, returning for two additional seasons. Spencer’s character, Dee, was known for her witty catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!”
She reprised her role in the sequel series What’s Happening Now!, which aired for three seasons starting in 1985. In 1993, Spencer became a veterinarian, and in 1997, she appeared as a veterinarian in James L. Brooks’ film As Good as It Gets. Nelson noted her deep love for animals, likening her to the late Betty White.
Early Life and Challenges
Born on June 24, 1965, in New York City, Spencer was raised by her mother, Cheryl, a French teacher, and stepfather, actor Tim Pelt. She began acting at age 7 and had small roles in films like Serpico (1973) and Harry and Tonto (1974) before landing her iconic role in What’s Happening!!.
In September 1977, a tragic car accident claimed the life of her stepfather, leaving Spencer in intensive care for weeks. She later reflected on this loss in her memoir, Through the Fire … Journal of a Child Star.
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Later Years and Legacy
After the cancellation of What’s Happening!!, Spencer and her family moved to the Ivory Coast. She pursued her education at UC Davis, UCLA, and Tuskegee University, earning her veterinary degree in 1993. A decade later, she faced a spinal condition that temporarily left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Spencer worked as a veterinarian for two decades in Los Angeles before relocating to Richmond in 2014, where she hosted a morning segment on pet care for CBS affiliate WTVR-TV. In 2014, she was honored with an induction into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
She is survived by her mother and her brother, Jeremy, a jazz musician. In a 2016 interview, Spencer emphasized the importance of pursuing happiness and living life to the fullest.
