August 13, 2025 | ClickUSANews Staff

Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as the sassy Dee Thomas on the hit 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!, died on August 11, 2025, at age 60. The news, confirmed by her co-star Haywood Nelson, follows Spencer’s long battle with breast cancer and ongoing health issues stemming from a tragic 1977 car accident. Her passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues across the United States.

From Child Star to Veterinarian

Born June 24, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey, Spencer captured hearts as Dee Thomas, the sharp-witted younger sister in What’s Happening!!, a groundbreaking ABC sitcom centered on Black teens in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood. Airing from 1976 to 1979, the show featured Spencer’s iconic catchphrase, “Ooh, I’m gonna tell mama,” which became a cultural staple. She later returned as Dee in the 1980s spin-off What’s Happening Now!! for 16 episodes.

Beyond Hollywood, Spencer built an inspiring career as a veterinarian. After earning her veterinary medicine doctorate from Tuskegee University in 1993, she became a vocal advocate for animal rights. Her dual legacy as an actress and veterinarian culminated in her historic 2016 induction into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, making her the first child star to receive this honor.

Overcoming Adversity

Spencer’s life was defined by resilience. In 1977, at age 12, she survived a near-fatal car crash in Malibu, California, that killed her stepfather, Tim Pelt, and left her in a coma for three weeks. The accident caused lifelong spinal and neurological issues, requiring multiple surgeries. In 2014, she faced breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy. Though declared cancer-free, she endured further health setbacks, including emergency brain surgery in 2018 for a hematoma linked to the 1977 crash.

Haywood Nelson, her What’s Happening!! co-star, shared a moving tribute on Instagram, calling Spencer “Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving warrior.” He wrote, “We’ve lost a daughter, sister, castmate, veterinarian, and cancer heroine. Danielle’s light will shine forever.”

Tributes Pour In

Spencer’s brother, jazz musician Jeremy Pelt, honored her memory, describing her as a protector and friend who faced her struggles with unwavering positivity. “She fought until the end, always with a smile,” he posted on Instagram. Fans have flooded social media with memories of Dee’s quick wit and Spencer’s inspiring journey from child star to animal advocate.

A Lasting Legacy

In her 2010 memoir, Through the Fire … Journal of a Child Star, Spencer chronicled her Hollywood experiences and personal triumphs. From her Bronx roots to her pioneering role in television and veterinary medicine, she leaves behind a legacy of courage and compassion. She is survived by her mother, Cheryl Pelt, and brother, Jeremy Pelt. Her What’s Happening!! co-stars Haywood Nelson and Ernest Lee Thomas remain the last living original cast members.

Honoring Danielle Spencer

ClickUSANews joins fans nationwide in mourning the loss of Danielle Spencer, whose contributions to entertainment and animal welfare touched countless lives. Share your favorite What’s Happening!! moments or memories of Spencer’s work in the comments below.

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