Danielle Spencer, known for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!, has passed away at the age of 60. Her co-star Haywood Nelson confirmed her death, which occurred in a Richmond, Virginia hospital.
Spencer faced significant health challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis that led to a double mastectomy in 2014. In 2018, she underwent emergency surgery for a serious brain issue. Friends and fans rallied to support her, raising funds through a GoFundMe page to help cover medical costs.
Nelson remembered her strength during her struggles. “She suffered for a long time but faced it all with great courage,” he said.
What’s Happening!! debuted in 1976 and was inspired by the film Cooley High. It quickly gained popularity and ran for three seasons, with Spencer’s character beloved for her catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” She also reprised her role in the sequel series, What’s Happening Now!, which aired in 1985.
After her acting career, Spencer pursued her passion for animals and earned a veterinary degree in 1993. She worked as a veterinarian and even played one in the film As Good as It Gets. Her co-star Nelson noted her deep love for animals, likening her to the late Betty White.
Born on June 24, 1965, in New York City, Spencer began acting at just seven years old. Life’s challenges included a tragic car accident in 1977 that claimed her stepfather’s life and left her hospitalized for weeks. In her memoir, Through the Fire … Journal of a Child Star, she reflected on this painful loss.
After What’s Happening!!, Spencer and her family moved to the Ivory Coast. She later attended UC Davis and UCLA before graduating from veterinary school. She worked in the Los Angeles area for two decades, later moving to Richmond, where she shared pet care tips on a local TV segment.
In 2014, Spencer was honored by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her legacy continues through the many lives she touched, both in entertainment and her veterinary work.
Spencer’s advice to live life for what brings joy remains relevant today. “You never know when that time is going to end,” she said, encouraging others to find happiness in the moment.
Her journey reflects resilience, passion, and the importance of chasing what makes us happy—a lesson many continue to embrace today.
For more about her life and legacy, you can explore this article from Jet Magazine.
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