Danielle Spencer, the actress and veterinarian whose quick-witted portrayal of Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!! made her a household name, died on August 11, 2025, at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She was 60 years old. The news was announced by her brother on Instagram and later confirmed by her co-star Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne on the beloved series. Spencer’s life was marked by both the bright lights of fame and the quiet dignity of service, as she transitioned from child star to respected veterinarian and advocate.
Born on June 24, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey, Danielle Spencer’s journey into acting began early, after her family moved to New York City. At just 11, she landed the role that would define her career: Dee Thomas, the sassy younger sister on ABC’s What’s Happening!! Created by Eric Monte and executive produced by Bud Yorkin, the sitcom was based on the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High and followed the teenage antics of Raj Thomas (Ernest Thomas), Dwayne Nelson (Haywood Nelson), and Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs (Fred Berry). Dee, played by Spencer, was known for her sharp tongue and signature line, “Ooh, I’m tellin’ mama!”—a catchphrase that endeared her to fans and cemented her place in television history.
According to Variety, What’s Happening!! was initially greenlit for just a short summer run, but its popularity quickly convinced ABC to extend it for a full season. The show ultimately ran for three seasons from 1976 to 1979, with Spencer’s character becoming a fan favorite thanks to her earnest yet mischievous performance. Her co-star Haywood Nelson remembered her fondly, noting in an Instagram tribute, “Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them, and we all have this family’s — Dr. Danielle Spencer (June 24, 1965 – August 11, 2025). Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail, has finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body. We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer.”
Spencer’s time on the show was not without hardship. During the second season, she was involved in a tragic car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway that claimed the life of her stepfather. Spencer herself was in a coma for three weeks and underwent six months of physical therapy before returning to work. Despite this, she continued to shine onscreen, her resilience becoming as much a part of her story as her comedic timing.
After What’s Happening!! was canceled, Spencer and her mother moved to the Ivory Coast, where she spent the remainder of her childhood before returning to the United States for college. She attended the University of California Davis, where she studied veterinary science, and later earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in 1993. According to her official website, this was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Spencer’s connection to What’s Happening!! didn’t end with the original series. She reprised her role as Dee Thomas in the sequel series What’s Happening Now!!, which ran for three more seasons between 1985 and 1988. Her final acting credit came in 2001, with a guest appearance on Days of Our Lives. She also made a brief appearance in James L. Brooks’ film As Good as It Gets, but by then, her focus had shifted to veterinary medicine, where she built a two-decade-long career in the Los Angeles area.
Life continued to present challenges for Spencer. In 2004, she was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and underwent surgery that left her paralyzed from the waist down for eight months. Despite this setback, she persevered, eventually regaining mobility and continuing her work. In 2010, she published a memoir, Through the Fire … Journal of a Child Star, which reignited public interest in her story. The book’s release led to appearances on The Wendy Williams Show and reunions with her What’s Happening!! castmates on programs like Life After and Unsung Hollywood.
In 2014, Spencer moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she hosted a regular morning pet care segment on the local CBS affiliate, WTVR-TV. That same year, she was inducted into the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.—a testament to her impact not just as a performer, but as a trailblazer for African American women in entertainment. That year also brought a new health battle: Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy and several emergency surgeries. By her own account, she was cancer-free for a time, but the disease would ultimately return in later years.
Spencer’s personal life was marked by both love and partnership. She was married twice—first to her marketing manager and publicist, Garry Fields, from 1999 until their divorce in 2013, and then to fashion designer and entrepreneur David L. David in 2014. Together, she and David co-hosted the podcast “Living with Danielle and David,” where they discussed love, marriage, and their experiences in the entertainment industry.
Her passing marks another loss for fans of What’s Happening!!, a series that has seen several of its stars die young. Mabel King, who played matriarch Mabel “Mama” Thomas, died in 1999 at age 66. Shirley Hemphill, the irrepressible soda shop waitress Shirley Wilson, died that same year at 52. Fred Berry, who brought Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs to life, died in 2003 at age 52. Spencer’s death at 60 is another poignant reminder of the show’s enduring impact and the fragility of life.
Spencer is survived by her mother, Cheryl Pelt, and her brother, Jeremy Pelt, a jazz trumpeter. As her co-star Haywood 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.”
Danielle Spencer’s life was a tapestry of talent, resilience, and compassion. From television screens to veterinary clinics, her legacy is one of perseverance and heart—a story that will continue to inspire those who remember her wit, her warmth, and her unwavering spirit.
