Danielle Spencer dead at 60: What's Happening!! child star passes away after cancer battle
Spencer, best known for her role as the sassy Dee Thomas on What's Happening!! which ran from 1976-1979, passed away on Monday, August 11, after a battle with cancer.
Her former co-star Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne Clemens Nelson on the ABC show, confirmed her death in an emotional tribute.
He wrote: 'Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them and we all have this family's - Dr. Danielle Spencer (June 24, 1965 - August 11, 2025).
'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.
'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.'
Spencer, best known for her role as the sassy Dee Thomas on What's Happening!! which ran from 1976-1979, passed away on Monday, August 11, after a battle with cancer - pictured February 2025 in one of her final public outings
As Dee, the sister of Raj Thomas (Ernest Thomas) and daughter of Mabel (Mabel King), she was known for her signature phrase, 'Oooh I'm gonna tell mama!'
She later reprised her role for the show's sequel What's Happening Now! which aired for three seasons between 1985-1988.
Spencer later became a veterinarian in 1996 and the following year art imitated life when she played one in As Good As It Gets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Emily Blunt debuts shock new hair color for Devil Wears Prada 2 that looks worlds away from original film
Emily Blunt surfaced on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2 this week with a hairdo totally unrecognizable to fans of the original 2002 film. Meryl Streep starred in the first movie as the fearsome fashion editor Miranda Priestly, who was inspired by the now outgoing Vogue chief Anna Wintour. The original novel was a roman à clef by the real Anna's former assistant Lauren Weisberger, whose fictional stand-in Andrea 'Andy' Sachs was portrayed in the silver screen adaptation by Anne Hathaway, 42. Meanwhile Emily played Miranda's chic, perpetually harried senior assistant Emily Charlton, who hisses that she is 'one stomach flu away from my goal weight.' Viewers of the original movie will remember Emily's trademark copper red locks, which elegantly framed her perpetually severe expression. For the sequel, however, Emily is swapping out her previous hair color for a head-turning ash blonde do that she debuted on set in New York this Thursday. She was previously spotted on the set of the new movie with the same hair color and same style she had sported in the 2006 original. Evidently, however, her character will undergo a makeover during the course of the sequel, resulting in the new look she unveiled this week. The scene she was filming involved a restaurant meeting with Anne, who could be glimpsed sitting with her at an elegant table near the window. Emily's fashion-forward outfit included a trendily torn, scarlet and black striped top with 'NY' splashed across the front, perfectly fitted to her enviably lithe frame. She pulled a high-waisted black skirt over a set of matching shorts, which were cut revealingly enough to show off her vertiginous legs. The Oppenheimer actress accessorized with a chain mail tie, bringing the look together with towering platform heels and sunglasses. Emily sharpened her unmistakable screen siren features with makeup, including a slick of blood-red lipstick that complemented her top. When she was spotted emerging from her trailer at another point during the workday, the skirt-shorts combo was swapped out for crimson slacks. Emily's fashion-forward outfit included a trendily torn, scarlet and black striped top with 'NY' splashed across the front, perfectly fitted to her enviably lithe frame The scene she was filming involved a restaurant meeting with Anne, who could be spotted sitting with her at an elegant table Before this Thursday's sighting, Emily had been spotted on the set of the new movie with the same hair color and same style she had sported in the 2006 original A stylish jacket that matched the slacks was slung over one of Emily's shoulders, and she augmented the outfit with a handbag and a camel-toned baseball cap. During the sweltering New York August day, a member of the crew could be seen walking alongside Emily holding an umbrella over her to ward off the rays. When the first film came out, Emily's character was rumored to be inspired by former Vogue writer Victoria 'Plum' Sykes, who herself has strenuously denied as much. A number of boldface names from the first movie have returned for the sequel, including not only Meryl, Anne and Emily but also Stanley Tucci. Stanley was a scene-stealing presence in the first film as Runway magazine's waspish art director Nigel Kipling, who announces Miranda's arrival at the office by warning his colleagues: 'All right, everyone, gird your loins!' David Frankel and Aline Brosh McKenna, the director and writer respectively of the original movie, have been enlisted for the same jobs on the sequel. New faces have also joined the team, from Kenneth Branagh as Miranda's new husband to Australian heartthrob Patrick Brammall as Andy's latest love interest. Timothée Chalamet's sister Pauline and The Office actor BJ Novak were also seen last month working on the movie in New York. When the first film came out, Emily's character was rumored to be inspired by former Vogue writer Victoria 'Plum' Sykes, who herself has strenuously denied as much Although Lauren Weisberger wrote a sequel to her novel called Revenge Wears Prada, the reported plot of the second film is different from that of the second book. In the upcoming movie, Miranda is said to be attempting to steer Runway through a new media landscape as her old world of print magazines slides into increasing irrelevance in the digital age, according to Variety. She is bent on making a deal with a luxury ad firm, only to hit a snag in the shape of Emily, who is now an executive at the company. When the book The Devil Wears Prada was published in 2003, it spent six months on the New York Times bestseller list and set off a blizzard of gossip that Lauren was writing about her former boss, who had employed her for less than a year. In public, the real Anna Wintour kept her cool, breezily remarking that she was 'looking forward to reading the book' to the New York Times. However one of Anna's subordinates claimed to her unauthorized biographer Jerry Oppenheimer that the Vogue capo was 'spitting fire' behind the scenes and 'felt she had been used and abused by Weisberger.' When the movie came out three years later, Anna leaned into the publicity and attended the New York City premiere wearing Prada. Several years after the film's release, Anna was asked in a CNN interview whether she regarded her ex-assistant's novel as a 'breach of trust.' 'Well...,' Anna replied with a weak laugh. 'I think that she brought attention to fashion in a way that, you know, you can look at it in a negative way or a positive way. I choose to look at it in a positive way. In some ways, I think I should be grateful to her.'
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jessica Biel shares rare photo of her and Justin Timberlake's two sons amid singer's shock health battle
Amid her husband Justin Timberlake 's shock health battle, Jessica Biel offered a rare glimpse at their family life on Thursday. The 43-year-old actress - who revealed the food that she never allows her kids to eat - uploaded a carousel of photos to her 14 million followers on Instagram alongside the caption, 'Family summer vibes.' Included in the post was a heartwarming snap of the couple's two sons: Silas, 10, and Phineas, five. In the adorable image, the boys could be seen sharing an embrace as they spent time outdoors underneath the warm sunshine. Silas and Phineas both sported colorful helmets as they tested out their skills on a skateboard and scooter. Jessica also included a selfie as she flashed a cheerful smile towards the camera while sporting a stylish hat and black shades. She additionally wore a short-sleeved white shirt as she continues to enjoy the rest of the summer season. The actress showed off a scenic view of what appeared to be a lake which was surrounded by lush green trees. A rainbow could be seen forming in the sky after a rainfall. Lastly, Jessica uploaded a snap of a boat floating on the water that offered tasty ice cream. The Hollywood star also treated herself to a yummy drink at Identity Coffee Co. - which has locations in states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The 7th Heaven alum recently opened up about raising her two sons with Justin and got candid about how it can be 'tricky' at times. During an interview with InStyle which was published in May, the mom-of-two talked about trying to find balance when it comes to their kids' privacy. 'It's a tricky one, a tricky balance. We do really try hard not to expose them in a way that they're not comfortable with,' Jessica expressed to the outlet. She notably brought her eldest son Silas to the 2024 U.S. Open since he is a big fan of tennis, and recalled the conversation they had beforehand. 'We had this opportunity, and we talked about it. We talked about photographers. You know, 'Are you comfortable with that?'' Jessica continued, 'He can't make these decisions on his own, but at this point, we can at least discuss what's his opinion around it.' She then admitted it is 'scary every time' when it comes to her children receiving public scrutiny. While talking to the publication, Jessica gave credit to the support system she has - especially with both her and Justin's busy schedules. 'It really takes a village to raise any kid, let alone in a wild business like this where parents are traveling for long times for work.' The actress added that she and the music artist try to make sure only one of them is working at a given time and said that 'sometimes we do a good job; we try to have one of us working full time, only one.' Last month in July, she revealed to Parade what she does not allow her two sons to eat: McDonald's. 'I'm like, 'Sorry, guys, I'm not doing it.' They don't get McDonald's,' she said. 'I just feel like I don't know what's going on with [the] quality of that food.' Jessica further added, 'It's stuff like that that I'm like, 'No, we're not.' Let's go have a great burger and fries at a fancy place. I'd rather pay more for you to have something fancy than something like that.' The actress previously shared that she does not incorporate wheat or dairy into her diet, and will instead eat foods such as chicken, fish, as well as freshly grown fruits and vegetables. The star has been keeping busy and also cheered on her husband Justin as he concluded his Forget Tomorrow World Tour last month. Back in May, the Cry Me A River hitmaker took to the stage during the BottleRock Music Festival in Napa Valley - and sported a custom shirt with a picture of his wife on the front. The sweet gesture came after the couple reportedly went through a 'rough patch' after Justin's DWI arrest a little over a year ago in June 2024. Late last month, Justin revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease after he sparked concern over his 'tired' performances on stage. He shared the health news on Instagram and penned, 'This has been the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling experience. 'I could not have done it without my family, friends, The TN Kids, and all of YOUR support.' He added, 'Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease - which I don't say so you feel bad for me - but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes. Late last month, Justin revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease after he sparked concern over his 'tired' performances on stage; seen in July in Paris 'If you've experienced this disease or know someone who has - then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically. When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure.' The singer continued, 'But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Justin admitted that he had thought about canceling his tour but decided against it.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Terry Crews says people ‘don't understand' how hard it was to make White Chicks
Terry Crews, who starred in the 2004 comedy White Chicks, has revealed that filming was 'torturous' for lead actors Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The Wayans brothers, who played FBI agents undercover as white women, endured daily five-hour makeup application and removal sessions. Crews explained that Shawn and Marlon often worked 10-11-hour days in full costume, even when not filming, leading to minimal sleep. He recalled Shawn struggling with the demanding schedule, prompting director Keenen Wayans to remind him it was their idea. Despite initial negative reviews, White Chicks became a box office success, grossing $113m from a $37m budget, and remains popular two decades later.
