08/12/2025
RIH to Danielle Spencer, the actress known as Dee from What’s Happening! Prayers to the family!
🌹RIP Danielle Spencer, Dee of ‘What’s Happening!!,’ Dies at 60
She survived a horrific auto accident during the sitcom's second season and went on to become a veterinarian.
Danielle passed away of cancer on Monday night in a Richmond, Virginia hospital ... with her mom Cheryl and her jazz musician brother Jeremy Pelt by her side.
Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2014. Speaking out for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Spencer told Black America Web that her diagnosis took her by surprise.
Her longtime friend and former costar Haywood Nelson -- AKA Dwayne from the sitcom -- tells TMZ Danielle passed away Monday night in a Richmond, Virginia hospital ... with her mom Cheryl and her jazz musician brother Jeremy Pelt by her side.
Haywood says he was in Dallas when he got the heartbreaking call -- telling us he always saw Danielle as his little sis. The two last spoke just two weeks ago on the phone, and he says she sounded upbeat at the time.
Haywood adds Danielle had previously been in a car accident -- and was in a wheelchair.
He honored Danielle on IG Tuesday, saying her battle had taken a heavy toll -- but she’s "finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body."
Spencer became an actress around the age of eight and began taking acting classes. In 1976, Spencer was cast as younger sister Dee Thomas on the show What's Happening!!, which was loosely based on the film Cooley High.
After What's Happening Now!! was canceled in 1988, Spencer attended Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Tuskegee, Alabama. She became a veterinarian in 1996.
FAVORITE QUOTE
Fred 'Rerun' Stubbs: I can't help it if I'm fat! It runs in my family.
Dee Thomas: Nobody runs in your family... they all waddle!
