What's Happening!! actress Danielle Spencer passes away at 60, co-star Haywood Nelson shares heartfelt tribute
Danielle Spencer forever remembered by fans as the quick-witted Dee Thomas from the beloved 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! has passed away at the age of 60. Her longtime co-star and friend, Haywood Nelson, shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter, saying she died Monday at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Spencer's life was marked by both remarkable achievements and profound challenges. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and bravely underwent a double mastectomy. Four years later, she faced another health crisis, requiring emergency surgery to prevent a cerebral hemorrhage. Friends and fans reunited, launching a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs.
Danielle Spencer passed away at 60
In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Nelson wrote, "We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, What's Happening!! cast member, veterinarian, animal rights proponent and healer, and cancer heroine. Our Shero. Danielle is loved. She will be missed in this form and forever embraced." He added that she endured her long health struggles with extraordinary courage.
Spencer's journey as an audience favorite began in August 1976, when What's Happening!! premiered on ABC. Inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High, the series followed three friends as they navigated teenage life in Los Angeles. Spencer portrayed Dee Thomas, the sharp-tongued younger sister to Raj. Spencer became a fan favorite, delivering the now-iconic line, "Ooooh, I'm gonna tell Mama!"
She returned to the role nearly a decade later in What's Happening Now!!, which ran for three seasons, solidifying her place as one of television's most memorable child stars.
All about Danielle Luise Spencer
Born Danielle Luise Spencer on June 24, 1965, in New York City, she was raised by her mother, Cheryl, a French teacher, and her stepfather, actor Tim Pelt. She began performing at just seven years old in a repertory group co-founded by Pelt. But her journey was filled with hardship. In 1977, a tragic five-car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway claimed her stepfather's life and left her in critical condition for weeks.
Spencer's love for animals was undeniable. In 2004, Spencer developed a spinal condition linked to her earlier car accident, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. But the story of her strength continued. Her life was an inspiration to all. She will be remembered for her qualities, alongside her infectious humor and her iconic place in TV history.