Danielle Louise Spencer, best known to TV fans as the witty and lovable Dee Thomas from 'What’s Happening!!', passed away on August 11, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 60. While the exact circumstances surrounding her death haven’t been publicly confirmed, many obituaries note her valiant, years-long battle with cancer.
Spencer captured hearts in the late 1970s with her razor-sharp, straight-talking wit as Dee, the youngest of the Thomas family. Her iconic catchphrase—“Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!”- remains etched in pop-culture memory. Debuting at age 11, she shone in the original What’s Happening!! (1976–1979) and reprised the role in its sequel, What’s Happening Now!! (1985–1988).
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Her death was reported by longtime friend and co-star Haywood Nelson, who indicated Spencer spent her last days with loved ones, her mother, Cheryl, and her brother, jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.
Jeremy Pelt seconded this in his own powerful words, calling her a star, but far more than that, a loving presence, "an auntie to my three children," a guardian, and a symbol of strength, even when she was at her most vulnerable.
Car Crash During Filming
Her life off-screen was marked by unimaginable strength. In 1977, during filming, she and her stepfather were involved in a devastating car accident. The crash left her in a coma for three weeks and took her stepfather’s life. Spencer lived with spinal and neurological damage from the crash for years, with partial paralysis, numerous surgeries, and extensive rehab.
After stepping away from acting, Spencer embraced a second calling: veterinary medicine. She earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993, a path that even led to a small veterinary role in As Good as It Gets (1997). Her life outside the world of show business was spent healing animals and humans alike, with kindness and compassion.
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Battling Breast Cancer
Spencer's resilience was nothing less than remarkable. In 2014, she had a double mastectomy after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Four years later, in 2018, she needed emergency brain surgery to remove a hematoma. Through all this, she was resilient and unwavering in her outlook.
Her Legacy
Spencer was the first child actor to be inducted into the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2014, which was a reflection on the sustained cultural legacy of her performances on What's Happening!!.
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A Farewell Filled with Gratitude
Danielle Spencer's life was a testament to heart, reinvention, and resilience. From playing sass on sitcoms to saving lives in clinics, she beat expectations repeatedly. She waged her battles with quiet strength, yet fully, and in doing so, left behind a legacy not only as Dee Thomas, but as Dr Danielle Spencer: actress, healer, advocate, and loved Shero.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]