Los Angeles, August 13 (AP) - Danielle Spencer, cherished for her portrayal of the witty and sharp-tongued Dee Thomas on the iconic 1970s sitcom "What’s Happening!!," has passed away at the age of 60.
Spencer, who admirably transitioned to a career in veterinary medicine, succumbed to a year-long battle with cancer on Monday at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Her passing was confirmed by family spokesperson Sandra Jones.
Portraying Dee on the show, Spencer embodied the character of the intelligent, no-nonsense younger sister known for her deadpan delivery and quick-witted roasts directed at her older brother Roger "Raj" Thomas and his buddies Dwayne Nelson and Freddie "Rerun" Stubbs.
"Ooh, I’m gonna tell mama," her character's iconic catchphrase, became a hallmark of the series. Set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, "What’s Happening!!" was one of the first television programs focused on the experiences of Black teenagers, inspired by the film "Cooley High." Running on ABC from 1976 to 1979, the show left an enduring legacy with its memorable cast of characters, which included the nerdy Raj, the catchphrase-loving Dwayne, the dance-obsessed Rerun, and Dee with her signature eye rolls.
Tragically, during the early days of the show’s production, Spencer experienced a horrific car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, at just 12 years old. The incident left her in a coma for three weeks and took the life of her stepfather, Tim Pelt. Over the ensuing years, she endured numerous surgeries to address the resulting spinal and neurological issues.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and growing up in New York, Spencer began her acting career around the age of 9. "What’s Happening!!" marked her first credited role in the industry.
"Imagine being plucked from obscurity to star in a TV show," she recounted to Jet magazine in 2014. "I had never seen any young Black girl in that type of spotlight, so I didn’t have a reference point in the media as to how to deal with this opportunity. I was from the Bronx."
Haywood Nelson, her co-star who played Dwayne on the sitcom, honored her memory on Tuesday with a heartfelt tribute to "Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior."
"We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, 'What’s Happening' cast member, veterinarian animal rights proponent, and healer, and cancer heroine. Our Shero," Nelson expressed on Instagram, adding, "Danielle is loved."
Spencer also featured in the mid-1980s reboot, "What’s Happening Now!!," which aired for three seasons.
In 2018, Spencer underwent emergency surgery to address a bleeding hematoma, a consequence of that 1977 car accident. A family spokesperson reported that in the aftermath, she had limited speech capabilities and needed crutches to walk. These health issues were ongoing since at least 2004 when she had to use a wheelchair and relearn how to walk. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.
Despite the challenges she faced, Spencer pursued her passion for animals, becoming an accomplished veterinarian and a fervent advocate for animal rights. She attended the University of California, Davis, and UCLA, and earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993.
Spencer continued to engage in acting later in life, making a memorable appearance as a veterinarian in the 1997 Jack Nicholson film "As Good as it Gets."
Danielle Spencer is survived by her brother, musician Jeremy Pelt, and her mother, Cheryl Pelt.
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