Danielle Spencer, beloved for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!!, passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 60 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Her death was confirmed by her friend and co-star, Haywood Nelson, who described her as a “brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior” .
Early Life and Career
Born on June 24, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey, Danielle Louise Spencer began acting at the age of 11. She gained fame for her portrayal of Dee Thomas, the sharp-witted younger sister known for her catchphrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” The show ran from 1976 to 1979 and was among the first to center on the experiences of Black teenagers .
In 1977, Spencer was involved in a severe car accident that left her in a coma for three weeks and resulted in the death of her stepfather, Tim Pelt. She sustained multiple injuries and spent several months in recovery .
