Danielle Spencer, the actress beloved for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom “What’s Happening!!,” has died at the age of 60 after a long battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by her former co-star, Haywood Nelson, who shared a tribute to her on social media.
Spencer, who also reprised her role in the spin-off “What’s Happening Now!!,” had a remarkable second career as a veterinarian. After leaving acting, she pursued her passion for animal care, earning a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993. Her life was marked by both professional success and significant personal health challenges. In a severe car accident in 1977, her stepfather died, and she was left in a coma for three weeks, an event that led to lifelong spinal and neurological issues. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent a double mastectomy.
In his online tribute, Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne Nelson on the show, remembered Spencer as “Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior.” He highlighted her contributions not only as a cast member but also as a “veterinarian, animal rights proponent and healer, and cancer heroine.” Spencer’s death leaves only two of the original cast members of “What’s Happening!!” still alive.