Danielle Spencer, beloved for her role as Dee Thomas on the iconic 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, has sadly passed away at the age of 60. Her co-star, Haywood Nelson, confirmed her death on Monday in a hospital located in Richmond, Virginia. Spencer had been bravely battling breast cancer, which led to her undergoing a double mastectomy in 2014. In 2018, she faced another serious health challenge, requiring emergency surgery to address bleeding on her brain. A GoFundMe page was established to assist with her medical expenses during this difficult time.
“She suffered for a very long time but did it with a great deal of courage,” Nelson shared, highlighting Spencer's strength throughout her health struggles. What’s Happening!!, co-produced by Bud Yorkin of All in the Family fame, was loosely inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High, which was penned by Eric Monte. The sitcom debuted in August 1976, quickly gaining popularity and returning for additional seasons following its initial four-week run.
In the series, Spencer portrayed Dee, the clever younger sister of Roger “Raj” Thomas, played by Ernest Thomas. Dee became known for her memorable catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” alongside her co-star Nelson, who took on the role of the relatable Dwayne. Spencer also reprised her character in the sequel series What’s Happening Now!, which aired for three more seasons starting in 1985.
Beyond her acting career, Spencer's love for animals led her to become a veterinarian, earning her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1993. She even portrayed a veterinarian in the critically acclaimed 1997 film As Good as It Gets, directed by James L. Brooks. “She had a great love of animals; she was like Betty White in that way,” Nelson remarked, emphasizing Spencer's dedication to animal care.
Born on June 24, 1965, in New York City, Danielle Luise Spencer was raised by her mother, Cheryl, a French teacher, and her stepfather, actor Tim Pelt. Starting her acting journey at the tender age of 7 in a repertory company, Spencer quickly made her mark in the industry. She had uncredited roles in notable films such as Serpico (1973) and Harry and Tonto (1974) before landing her breakthrough role in What’s Happening!! at just 11 years old, which required her and her family to relocate to California.
Reflecting on her unique experience in the entertainment industry, Spencer once shared, “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.” She drew inspiration from her own family to shape her character's portrayal.
In September 1977, tragedy struck when Spencer was involved in a devastating five-car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. This horrific incident resulted in the death of her stepfather, who was driving, and left her in intensive care for several weeks. Spencer expressed her heartbreak in her 2010 memoir, Through the Fire … Journal of a Child Star, stating, “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to my stepfather, Daddy Tim, whom I loved and who taught me show business as a young child in New York.”
After What’s Happening!! was canceled, Spencer's journey took her and her family to the Ivory Coast. She continued her education at UC Davis and UCLA before pursuing veterinary medicine at Tuskegee University. After earning her degree, Spencer worked as a veterinarian for two decades in the Los Angeles area before relocating to Richmond in 2014. There, she featured in a regular morning segment about pet care for CBS affiliate WTVR-TV.
In recognition of her contributions, Spencer was inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2014. She is survived by her mother and her brother, Jeremy, a talented jazz musician.
In a heartfelt 2016 interview with Hers magazine, Spencer emphasized the importance of pursuing happiness. “You really have to live life for you at that minute,” she advised. “And just try to have fun. Be lighthearted and be happy while you’re here because you never know when that time is going to end.”
Danielle Spencer's legacy will live on through her impactful work in both entertainment and veterinary medicine, as well as the indomitable spirit she displayed throughout her life.
