Richmond, Virginia – Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as the sharp-tongued Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, passed away on Monday at the age of 60, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her death was confirmed by longtime co-star Haywood Nelson, who posted a heartfelt tribute on social media .
A Legacy of Resilience and Reinvention
Danielle Spencer burst into the spotlight in 1976 when she was cast as Dee, the witty and spirited younger sister of Raj Thomas, in What’s Happening!!, which aired until 1979. She reprised the role in the sequel What’s Happening Now!! (1985–1988) .
In 1977, during filming, she and her stepfather, Tim Pelt, were involved in a tragic car accident that left Spencer in a three-week coma and claimed Pelt’s life . Spencer sustained serious injuries, including broken limbs and pelvis, and later developed spinal stenosis, which at one point left her partially paralyzed before extensive rehabilitation helped her regain mobility .
Her post-Hollywood path was equally compelling. Encouraged by her late stepfather, Spencer pursued a veterinary career—studying at UC Davis and later at Tuskegee University—earning her veterinary degree in 1996 . She dedicated her life to veterinary medicine and animal rights advocacy and occasionally returned to acting, notably portraying a veterinarian in As Good as It Gets (1997) and in the short film Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix (2001) .
Spencer also authored a memoir, Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star, telling the story of her life’s ups and downs with unflinching honesty .
Battles Beyond the Screen
In 2014, Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer—another battle she approached with determination. The battle intensified in 2018 when she underwent emergency brain surgery to address bleeding from injuries dating back to her accident. A GoFundMe campaign helped support her mounting medical expenses .
Final Moments and Fond Farewells
According to reports, Spencer passed away in a Richmond hospital surrounded by her mother, Cheryl, and her brother, Jeremy Pelt, a jazz musician . Haywood Nelson described her as his “little sister,” recallIng a recent phone call where she sounded positive despite deteriorating health .
Nelson’s tribute captured the depth of Spencer’s impact: she was “a daughter, sister, family member, What’s Happening!! cast member, veterinarian, animal-rights proponent and cancer heroine… our Shero.” He added, “Danielle is loved. She will be missed in this form and forever embraced” .
Remembering Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer’s legacy is one of tenacity, transformation, and compassion. From bright child star on a beloved sitcom to healer and advocate, she navigated life’s most daunting challenges with grace. Her resilience in the face of adversity—spinal injury, paralysis, cancer—serves as an enduring testament to her strength. Whether through laughter on screen or compassion in the clinic, she touched countless lives.
Though she has left this world, Danielle Spencer’s spirit lives on—in the hearts of fans, the animals she cared for, and the story of a life lived bravely.
