Danielle Spencer Cause of Death: ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Dies at 60 After Long Battle with Cancer

Danielle Spencer, beloved child star best known for her role as Dee Thomas on the hit 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at the age of 60. She passed away on August 11, 2025, at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, after a prolonged battle with cancer, according to her former co-star and friend Haywood Nelson.

Nelson described her as “a brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior” who faced years of health challenges with courage and resilience. “We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, What’s Happening!! cast member, veterinarian, animal rights proponent, healer, and cancer heroine. Danielle is loved. She will be missed in this form and forever embraced,” Nelson said.

Spencer’s life was marked by both stardom and struggle — from surviving a near-fatal car accident during her sitcom years to building a successful career as a veterinarian before her cancer diagnosis.

What Was Danielle Spencer’s Cause of Death?

Danielle Spencer’s cause of death was cancer, confirmed by her family and close friends. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. Despite beating the disease initially, her health was later complicated by other medical issues, including spinal stenosis and a brain hematoma linked to her 1977 car accident.

By 2018, she had endured emergency brain surgery, and although she remained active in public life — appearing on TV segments and speaking about animal care — her health steadily declined. Loved ones say she maintained her humor and positivity until the very end.

From Child Star to Veterinarian: Danielle Spencer’s Inspiring Journey

Born on June 24, 1965, in the Bronx, New York, Danielle Luise Spencer began acting at age seven. She landed her breakthrough role as Dee Thomas in 1976 on What’s Happening!!, where she became famous for her sassy catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!”

In September 1977, during the sitcom’s second season, Spencer survived a five-car collision in Malibu that claimed the life of her stepfather, Tim Pelt. The accident left her in a coma for three weeks and in intensive care for months.

After the original series ended, she reprised her role in What’s Happening Now!! from 1985 to 1988 before pursuing higher education. Inspired by her stepfather, she earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993 and spent two decades working as a veterinarian in Los Angeles.

Why Danielle Spencer’s Legacy Matters

Spencer was more than just a television icon; she was an advocate for animal welfare, a role model for African American women in entertainment, and an example of resilience in the face of adversity. In 2014, she was inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Her career transition from child actor to veterinarian showcased the importance of pursuing passions beyond fame. “You really have to live life for you at that minute,” she told Hers magazine in 2016. “And just try to have fun. Be lighthearted and be happy while you’re here, because you never know when that time is going to end.”

The Final Years

Spencer relocated to Richmond, Virginia, in 2014, where she continued working part-time and appeared regularly on WTVR-TV with pet care advice. Even as her health declined, she stayed active in her community.

She is survived by her mother, Cheryl, and her brother, Jeremy, a jazz musician. Friends, fans, and colleagues remember her as a trailblazer whose smile and wit left a lasting mark on both Hollywood and the veterinary field.

Danielle Spencer cause of death is a reminder of her extraordinary resilience and the profound impact she had on television history, animal welfare, and the people who knew her. Her story continues to inspire generations who value strength, adaptability, and compassion.

You Must Know:

What type of cancer did Danielle Spencer have?
Danielle Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. She underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy before experiencing later health complications.

When did Danielle Spencer pass away?
She died on August 11, 2025, at the age of 60, in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia.

What was Danielle Spencer best known for?
She was best known for playing Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom What’s Happening!! and its sequel, What’s Happening Now!!.

Did Danielle Spencer have other careers?
Yes, she became a licensed veterinarian in 1993 and worked in animal care for over 20 years.

What major accident did Danielle Spencer survive?
In 1977, she was involved in a car crash that killed her stepfather and left her in a coma for three weeks.