Danielle Spencer, the former child star who played Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom “What’s Happening!!,” died August 11 at age 60 after a yearslong battle with cancer. Her death was confirmed by former co-star Haywood Nelson through an Instagram post and family spokesperson Sandra Jones.
Spencer portrayed the wisecracking younger sister Dee Thomas on “What’s Happening!!,” which aired from 1976 to 1979. The sitcom, set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, was among the first television shows to focus on the lives of Black teenagers and was based on the 1975 film “Cooley High.” Spencer’s character became known for her deadpan delivery, dry humor and catchphrase “Ooh, I’m gonna tell mama.”
According to ABC News, Spencer died from gastric cancer and cardiac arrest. Family spokesperson Jones described her as a sweet and gentle soul who would be missed very much. Spencer’s brother, jazz musician Jeremy Pelt, indicated that she remained positive even during her darkest days fighting the disease and served as his protector.
In 1977, during the show’s production, Spencer and her stepfather Tim Pelt were involved in a severe car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. The crash killed Pelt and left then-12-year-old Spencer in a coma for three weeks with broken bones in her leg, arm and pelvis. The accident would cause ongoing health complications throughout her life.
Spencer reprised her role as Dee in the sequel series “What’s Happening Now!!” which ran from 1985 to 1988. Her other acting credits included appearances on “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour,” “Days of Our Lives” and the Jack Nicholson film “As Good as It Gets.” Her final acting role was a 2001 episode of “Days of Our Lives.”
After leaving acting, Spencer pursued veterinary medicine, attending the University of California, Davis and UCLA before earning her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993. She practiced veterinary medicine in the Los Angeles area before relocating to Richmond, Virginia in 2014, where she became a frequent guest on CBS affiliate WTVR’s morning news programs, sharing pet care expertise.
Spencer faced numerous health challenges stemming from her 1977 car accident. In 2004, she was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which temporarily left her paralyzed and required her to use a wheelchair and relearn how to walk. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent a double mastectomy.
In 2018, exactly 42 years after her original car accident, Spencer underwent emergency brain surgery to remove a bleeding hematoma that had formed as a result of the 1977 crash. Following the surgery, she could only speak slightly and required crutches to walk, according to family statements at the time.
Spencer achieved a historic milestone in 2014 when she became the first child star inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her portrayal of Dee Thomas became part of the museum’s permanent exhibition. Spencer expressed disbelief at the honor, noting that people would be able to view the exhibit for years to come.
Nelson remembered Spencer as a brilliant person who loved animals and praised her transition from acting to veterinary medicine. He noted that despite speaking with her about a week before her death, she maintained her characteristic positivity and optimism. Nelson described her as “Our Shero” and emphasized her roles as a daughter, sister, veterinarian, animal rights advocate and cancer warrior.
Spencer’s family released a statement Tuesday remembering her compassion, dedication and the courage and grace that inspired all who knew her. The family requested privacy while thanking fans for their support, stating that Spencer’s spark would continue to light their hearts through the legacy she leaves behind.
Spencer is survived by her mother, Cheryl Pelt, and her brother Jeremy Pelt, who expressed gratitude for being present when she took her last breath. Pelt emphasized that while many knew her as Dee, she was much more than a child actress, serving as a friend, aunt to his three children, veterinarian and someone who maintained positivity throughout her battle with cancer.
Born June 24, 1965, Spencer got her start in acting at age nine when she was cast as Dee Thomas. She moved from New Jersey to California for the role, with her stepfather Tim Pelt guiding her entry into show business. The role would define her career and make her a beloved figure in television history as part of a groundbreaking sitcom that helped pave the way for other shows focusing on Black families and teenagers.
