Actress Danielle Spencer, famed for portraying the character Dee in 'What's Happening!!,' succumbs at the age of 60.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Danielle Spencer, the beloved actress who played Dee Thomas on the iconic sitcom "What's Happening!!", has passed away at the age of 60. Spencer's life was cut short after a years-long battle with cancer.
Spencer's acting career began with her role as Dee, a character that left a lasting impact on television. The show, set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts, was one of the first TV shows to focus on the lives of Black teenagers, offering a unique perspective that was relatively uncommon at the time. Based on the movie "Cooley High", "What's Happening!!", which ran on ABC from 1976 to 1979, had a long legacy due to its memorable characters, including Dee, Raj, Dwayne, Rerun, and others.
As Dee, Spencer was known for her deadpan roasts of the characters Roger "Raj" Thomas, Dwayne Nelson, and Freddie "Rerun" Stubbs. Her catchphrase, "Ooh, I'm gonna tell mama," became a cultural touchstone. After the show ended in 1979, Spencer moved with her mother to the Ivory Coast for some time. Upon returning to the U.S., she pursued higher education, initially attending the University of California, where she earned a bachelor's degree in marine biology from UCLA and later a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Alabama, becoming a licensed veterinarian by 1996[1][3][4].
During her veterinary studies, Spencer reprised her role as Dee Thomas in the sequel series What's Happening Now!! from 1985 to 1988, appearing in various episodes while attending college[1][2]. After becoming a veterinarian, she returned to acting occasionally, including roles in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets and the 2001 movie Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix, in which she played a veterinarian[3].
In addition to her successful acting and veterinary careers, Spencer also became an advocate for animals and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority during her college years[1][3]. However, her life was marked by tragedy as well. In 1977, she survived a major car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, which left her in a coma for three weeks and resulted in spinal and neurological problems that required multiple surgeries. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. From at least 2004, Spencer suffered symptoms that required her to use a wheelchair and relearn how to walk[5]. In 2018, she had emergency surgery for a bleeding hematoma, a complication from the 1977 car crash[6].
Spencer's stepfather, Tim Pelt, also died in the same car accident that changed her life[7]. Despite these challenges, Spencer continued to make a positive impact on the world, using her platform to advocate for animals and inspire others. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and fans.
[1] Wikipedia: Danielle Spencer [2] IMDb: What's Happening Now!! [3] TV Guide: Danielle Spencer [4] Tuskegee University: Notable Alumni [5] People: Danielle Spencer's Health Struggles [6] CNN: Danielle Spencer's Health Crisis [7] LA Times: Danielle Spencer's Stepfather Dies in Car Crash
The entertainment industry has lost a remarkable talent with Danielle Spencer's passing, as she was well-known for her memorable roles, particularly as Dee Thomas in the groundbreaking sitcom "What's Happening!!". This series, featuring a diverse cast of celebrities, focused on the lives of Black teenagers and left a lasting impact on television.
