Remembering Danielle Spencer: Dee from What’s Happening!!

Remembering Danielle Spencer, beloved as Dee on What’s Happening!!. She brought laughter to millions and later became a veterinarian. Gone at 60, her legacy of wit and resilience lives on.

Remembering Danielle Spencer: Dee from What’s Happening!!

We’re taking a moment to remember Danielle Spencer, the actress who brought the quick-witted and unforgettable Dee Thomas to life on the classic sitcom What’s Happening!!

Danielle passed away on Monday in Virginia at the age of 60 after a long battle with cancer, confirmed by her former co-star and lifelong friend Haywood Nelson. As Dee, she was the sharp-tongued younger sister whose one-liners became a fan favorite, earning her a place in television history.

Spencer reprised her role in the 1980s reboot What’s Happening Now!!, but her talents extended far beyond Hollywood. After surviving a tragic car accident in 1976 that claimed the life of her stepfather, actor Tim Pelt, Danielle pursued medicine and later followed her passion for animals. She earned her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University in 1996 and spent years helping countless families care for their beloved pets.

Her story is one of resilience, brilliance, and legacy. While she will be deeply missed, the joy and laughter she brought into our living rooms will always live on.

Below is a YouTube montage of some of Danielle’s funniest moments as Dee — the sister, the sass, and the spark of What’s Happening!!: