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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who was Danielle Spencer, child star of the '70s sitcom, who passed away at 60?
Dr. Danielle Spencer , who played Dee Thomas on the hit 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! , died at age 60 after a long fight with cancer. Besides her work on TV, she built a respected career as a veterinarian , spending decades caring for and speaking up for animals. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program She overcame personal tragedy, serious injuries, and health problems to live a life dedicated to helping animals and inspiring her fans with her strength and determination, as per a report by Forbes. How did Danielle Spencer become famous? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Danielle Spencer was born in the Bronx, New York, on June 24, 1965. She was cast as Dee Thomas, the smart and funny younger sister on ABC's What's Happening!! when she was only 11 years old. The sitcom, which ran from 1976 to 1979, was loosely based on the movie Cooley High. It followed three Black teenage friends as they dealt with life in Los Angeles. Spencer's sharp, sassy, and lovable portrayal of Dee quickly made her a fan favorite, as per a report by Amsterdam News. ALSO READ: Taylor Swift new album release date: When are the new playlists coming out - here are key details Live Events The show came back in the middle of the 1980s as What's Happening Now!!, and Spencer played Dee again, this time as a college student. She was on the sequel until it ended in 1988, which made her a part of television history. What problems did she have to deal with outside of the spotlight? Spencer's journey was not easy. During the second season of the show, on September 6, 1977, she was in a terrible car accident that put her in a coma for three weeks and killed her stepfather, Tim Pelt. It took her six months to get better, but she was determined to get back to acting, as per a report by Amsterdam News. ALSO READ: iPhone 17 set to break records, and your wallet, in shocking US price hike Years later, she had more health problems. She had partial paralysis from spinal stenosis, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and beat it with chemotherapy, and had to have emergency brain surgery in 2018 to remove a hematoma that was connected to her earlier accident. Through it all, she stayed strong and positive, which inspired both her fans and friends. How did she go from being a TV star to a vet? Many child stars had a hard time finding a new identity, but Spencer took a completely different path. Her late stepfather pushed her to become a veterinarian. She first took pre-veterinary courses at the University of California, Davis, and then graduated from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in 1996, as per a report by Amsterdam News. From a young age, it was clear that she loved animals. "I've always been good at taking care of animals and been curious about how the body works," she said in an interview in 1985. She worked as a veterinarian for almost 30 years, becoming a well-known figure in animal care and a supporter of animal rights. A legacy of kindness and strength Haywood Nelson, Spencer's friend and former co-star on What's Happening!!, confirmed her death. He played Dwayne Nelson on the show. He called her "our Shero" and praised her as a loving, smart, and practical warrior in a touching tribute. Danielle Spencer's life showed both determination and kindness, from being a child star to healing animals. Her work, her advocacy, and the happiness she brought to people and pets will live on in her memory. FAQs What was the cause of death for Danielle Spencer? She died at 60 years old after a long battle with cancer. What did Danielle Spencer do after acting? She became a veterinarian in 1996, focusing her career on animal care and advocacy.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hazel ‘Ma' Dukes, New York civil rights leader, dies at 92
Civil Rights icon and Harlem legend Hazel Dukes, the NAACP's New York State Conference president, has died. She was 92. Her son Ronald Dukes confirmed her passing. 'Mom departed this life peacefully surrounded by her loving family,' he said. 'Mom was a committed civil rights leader in New York City and the nation and worked tirelessly on the frontlines almost to the end.' Lovingly known as 'Ma Dukes' in New York's political circles, the longtime activist's advice was cherished by New York's political leaders, including Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul. Dukes was the first civilian in U.S. history to administer the oath of office to a governor when she swore in Gov. Hochul in 2023. 'I was with Hazel Dukes at her bedside during her final days. She called me her daughter. That means the world to me,' said Hochul, who has called the civil rights leader her 'mother on Earth.' 'Her contributions to making our state and our country more just, more equitable and more fair are impacts that will long endure after her passing,' Hochul said. Mayor Adams on Saturday ordered all flags on city buildings to be lowered to half-staff all day today in honor of Dukes. 'For over 40 years, Ma Dukes has been an unwavering presence in my life — a trusted advisor, a cherished friend, and a guiding light during some of my most challenging times,' Adams said. 'I will remember Ma Dukes for her remarkable ability to bring people together. 'Whether in times of crisis or celebration, she could fill a room with her commanding presence yet make everyone feel heard and valued,' he said. 'Her wisdom, compassion, and straight-talking spirit made her a mother figure not just to me, but to several generations of leaders and community members throughout our city who were her 'children.'' Her death saddened local elected officials and community activists who worked with Dukes over the years. 'A great pioneer and warrior for social and racial justice, Hazel Dukes was my champion for as long as I can remember and close to all of us in the Cuomo family,' former Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote on X. 'America has lost one of the greats.' The Rev. Al Sharpton said he had just spoken to Dukes, who he described as a 'true friend' on Thursday. 'She was a force of nature for justice and an activist of the highest order,' Sharpton said in a statement. 'She made a difference, and we will forever be indebted to her.' 'We will never have another Hazel Dukes, but I am grateful that we had this one,' he said. Dukes had been battling an illness in recent weeks, her son told the Amsterdam News. Born in Montgomery, Ala. in 1932, Dukes moved up to New York in 1955 and got involved with community organizing through the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County in the town of Roslyn. In the 1960s, Dukes was appointed by former President Lyndon Johnson to his Head Start early childhood education program. In 1966, she became the first Black person to take a position in the Nassau County Attorney's Office. Moving to Harlem and getting involved in the NAACP, Dukes worked behind the scenes in both national and New York politics for decades but never wanted to be in political office, friends said. Mayor de Blasio gave Dukes the key to the city in 2020 for her decades-long fight for civil justice.
