Danielle Spencer, Beloved ‘Dee’ from What’s Happening!!, Dies at 60 After Long Illness

Danielle Spencer, the actress who became a household name in the late 1970s as the sharp-tongued Dee Thomas on the hit sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at the age of 60. She passed away on August 11, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia, following a long battle with cancer, her family confirmed.

Spencer was just 11 years old when she landed the role of Dee, the sassy younger sister of Raj (Ernest Thomas). Her witty one-liners and signature retort, “Ooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!,” quickly made her one of the most memorable child characters in television history. What’s Happening!! was groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first American sitcoms to focus primarily on the lives of Black teenagers, giving a national platform to authentic African American youth experiences.

From Child Star to Veterinary Doctor

After What’s Happening!! ended in 1979, Spencer reprised her role in the sequel series What’s Happening Now!! from 1985 to 1988. But unlike many child stars who remained in Hollywood, she made a dramatic career shift, pursuing her long-time love of animals. She graduated from Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, becoming a licensed veterinarian and opening her own practice.

Spencer once said that while she cherished her acting years, “helping animals and their families gave me a different kind of fulfillment.” She worked tirelessly in animal welfare, often volunteering at shelters and hosting free pet care clinics for underserved communities.

A Life Marked by Triumph Over Adversity

Spencer’s personal journey was one of resilience. In 1977, during her run on What’s Happening!!, she was involved in a devastating car accident that killed her stepfather and left her in a coma for three weeks. The injury caused long-term complications, including spinal stenosis, which required her to relearn how to walk as an adult.

Her health struggles didn’t end there. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Four years later, she faced another major challenge — emergency brain surgery to remove a tumor. Through each ordeal, Spencer maintained her optimism, crediting her faith, her family, and her fans for giving her strength.

In 2011, she shared her journey in her memoir Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star, where she wrote candidly about the pressures of fame, her health battles, and her life after television.

Cultural Impact and Lasting Legacy

As Dee Thomas, Spencer broke new ground for young Black actresses, portraying a character who was independent, witty, and unapologetically outspoken. Her role helped pave the way for more diverse and realistic depictions of African American youth on television.

Her contributions extended beyond entertainment. In 2014, Spencer became the first former child star to be honored at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, recognized for her influence on television history and her work in veterinary medicine (People).

Her co-stars remembered her as a “shero” — a blend of show business icon and healer. Fans continue to post tributes on social media, sharing clips of her most iconic moments from What’s Happening!!, and thanking her for inspiring both on the screen and in life (AP News).

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