Danielle Spencer, the former child actor best known for her sharp wit and memorable portrayal of Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at the age of 60. Her death was confirmed late Tuesday, August 12, following a lengthy battle with cancer, according to multiple media reports.
Spencer’s husband, Garry Fields, announced her passing in a statement shared with family friends and the press, describing her as “a bright soul, a loving partner, and a woman who touched millions with her work.”
Born on June 24, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey, Spencer’s life in entertainment began early. She joined the cast of What’s Happening!! at just 11 years old, playing the quick-tongued younger sister of Raj (played by Ernest Thomas). Her deadpan humor and no-nonsense demeanor made Dee an iconic character in the pantheon of American sitcom history.
The show, loosely inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High, ran from 1976 to 1979 and enjoyed enduring popularity through syndication. Spencer later reprised her role in the 1980s sequel series What’s Happening Now!!.
Following her acting career, Spencer made a surprising transition into veterinary medicine, graduating from Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. She practiced for years, all while occasionally making guest appearances on television and participating in What’s Happening!! cast reunions.
In 2014, Spencer publicly revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought the illness with determination, undergoing treatment and using her platform to advocate for regular health check-ups and early detection.
Colleagues and fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute. Ernest Thomas, her on-screen brother, shared on Instagram, “I’m heartbroken. Dee was more than a co-star—she was family. We shared decades of laughter, memories, and love.”
ABC Entertainment released a statement calling her “a gifted performer whose work left an indelible mark on American television history.”
Spencer is survived by her husband, her stepchildren, and a host of extended family members. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Her death marks the loss of yet another beloved figure from television’s golden age of sitcoms—a reminder of the enduring bond between fans and the shows that shaped generations