NEED TO KNOW
Danielle Spencer is being remembered for her bright spirit by her fellow What’s Happening!! cast members.
The actress, best known for her role as Dee Thomas in the 1976 sitcom, is being honored by her costars following news of her death at 60.
News of her death was first shared publicly by Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne Clemens Nelson on the show. The post indicates the actress died on Monday, Aug. 11.
“Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them and we all have this family’s – Dr. Danielle Spencer,” the post began.
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“Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail, has finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body. We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer.”
Nelson continued, “We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, What’s Happening cast member, veterinarian animal rights proponent and healer, and cancer heroine. Our Shero. Danielle is loved. She will be missed in this form and forever embraced.”
Ernest Lee Thomas
Thomas, who played Dee’s big brother Raj, shared his own tribute, writing, ” ‘No more suffering’ for my baby sister DR. DANIELLE SPENCER. She decided at 9 years old I was going to be her big brother for life.”
“A month ago, I had made arrangements for her to move to LA. A mutual friend, Darren Dill, was going to give her the master bedroom and a retired Christian couple, also great friends, Kirk and Lois Roberts, were going to be her caretakers. But she wanted to wait until her bed sores were healed,” Thomas revealed.
“I got news last night from Haywood Nelson that Danielle’s mother said she had passed. My body tightened and stiffened like it was extremely heavy and waves of emotions came over me. I am happy she was with her mother and brother when she transitioned. I thank GOD for giving me 49 years of a supernatural friendship, millions of laughs, countless days worshiping our Savior CHRIST JESUS. Grateful but full of tears. 2 Corinthians 5:8 ‘ABSENT FROM THE BODY PRESENT WITH THE LORD.’ ”
Jeremy Pelt
Danielle’s brother, Jeremy Pelt, shared a heartfelt message about how much his sister meant to him, alongside photos of their memories together throughout the years.
“August 11, 2025 will forever be a reminder of the day that I lost a big part of myself. After many years, my big sister, Dr. Danielle Louise Spencer lost her battle with cancer,” he began.
“Many of you knew her as ‘Dee,’ but she was more than a child actress. She was a friend, an auntie to my three children who adored her, she was a daughter- and in many ways, my mother’s best friend, she was a veterinarian, she was someone who always remained positive even during her darkest days fighting this disease. And she was MY sister and protector.”
Holly Robinson Peete
Holly Robinson Peete recalled first meeting Danielle as teenagers and developing a special bond.
“Oh, this is just gutting 💔💔💔 I’m so sad to hear about the loss of this beautiful woman who I met in 1977 when we were just 13. We hit it off immediately. We went to junior high school together when she wasn’t taping What’s Happening and I spent a lot of time on that set,” she shared.
“Danielle was such a brilliant as an actress-comedian. Her ‘Dee’ was HILARIOUS Her comedic timing was absolutely perfect!! She should’ve won all the Emmys! I mean she would just walk on set and the audience would be ready to laugh. Few actors on sitcoms had that super power…”
