Danielle Spencer, ‘What’s Happening!!’ Actress and Veterinarian, Passes Away at 60

Published Time: 08-13-2025, 14:45

Danielle Spencer, best known for portraying the witty and sharp-tongued Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at the age of 60. The actress, who later built a career as a veterinarian, passed away Monday in Richmond, Virginia, following a lengthy battle with cancer, her family spokesperson Sandra Jones confirmed.

Spencer’s portrayal of Dee — the quick-witted younger sister known for her deadpan delivery and memorable catchphrase, “Ooh, I’m gonna tell Mama” — left an enduring mark on television history. Beyond her on-screen legacy, she dedicated much of her life to animal care and advocacy.

A Sitcom Role That Made Television History

What’s Happening!!, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979, was one of the first network sitcoms to center on the lives of Black teenagers. Set in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood, the show drew inspiration from the 1975 film Cooley High and became a cultural touchstone.

Spencer’s character often served as the voice of reason — or the instigator — in her older brother Roger “Raj” Thomas’s adventures with friends Dwayne Nelson and Freddie “Rerun” Stubbs. With her sharp comebacks, eyerolls, and icy stares, Dee became one of the sitcom’s most beloved characters.

The series launched the careers of several actors, including Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne. Nelson paid tribute on Instagram, calling Spencer “our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior” and “cancer heroine.” He added, “Danielle is loved.”

A Life Marked by Resilience

Spencer’s rise to fame was not without personal challenges. In 1977, during the show’s first season, she was involved in a severe car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. The crash, which claimed the life of her stepfather Tim Pelt, left the 12-year-old actress in a coma for three weeks and caused lasting spinal and neurological complications.

Despite these injuries, Spencer continued acting and later reprised her role in the mid-1980s reboot What’s Happening Now!!, which ran for three seasons. She also made a cameo as a veterinarian in the 1997 Jack Nicholson film As Good as It Gets.

From Television to Veterinary Medicine

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in New York City’s Bronx borough, Spencer began acting at age nine. What’s Happening!! was her first credited television role — a career start she later described as a whirlwind. “I had never seen any young Black girl in that type of spotlight,” she told Jet magazine in 2014. “I didn’t have a reference point in the media for how to handle that kind of opportunity.”

In the 1990s, she shifted her focus from Hollywood to higher education, earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University in 1993, after attending the University of California, Davis, and UCLA. She built a respected veterinary practice and became a strong advocate for animal welfare.

Health Struggles in Later Years

Spencer’s 1977 car accident had long-term health effects that resurfaced decades later. In 2004, she began using a wheelchair and had to relearn how to walk. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Four years later, she required emergency surgery for a bleeding hematoma linked to her earlier injuries, which temporarily impaired her speech and mobility.

Despite these setbacks, Spencer remained active in her community and continued to inspire fans and colleagues alike.

Remembering Danielle Spencer

Spencer is survived by her mother, Cheryl Pelt, and her brother, jazz musician Jeremy Pelt. Fans remember her both as “Dee” — the little sister who kept Raj and his friends in line — and as “Dr. Spencer,” the compassionate veterinarian who devoted her life to helping animals.

Her life story reflects a rare blend of television legacy, personal resilience, and professional dedication. While her passing marks the end of an era for What’s Happening!! fans, her contributions to entertainment and veterinary medicine will continue to inspire future generations.