Latest news with #What'sHappening!!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'What's Happening!! 'Stars Remember Danielle Spencer as Family and Friends Mourn the Actress After Her Death at 60
The actress died on Monday, Aug. 11. surrounded by familyNEED TO KNOW Danielle Spencer starred as Dee Thomas on What's Happening!! from 1976 to 1979 Costar Haywood Nelson publicly announced that Thomas died of cancer at age 60 on Monday, Aug. 11 Other What's Happening!! cast members and guest stars are remembering Spencer for her bright spiritDanielle Spencer is being remembered for her bright spirit by her fellow What's Happening!! cast members. The actress, best known for her role as Dee Thomas in the 1976 sitcom, is being honored by her costars following news of her death at 60. News of her death was first shared publicly by Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne Clemens Nelson on the show. The post indicates the actress died on Monday, Aug. 11. "Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them and we all have this family's - Dr. Danielle Spencer," the post miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "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." Nelson continued, "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." Ernest Lee Thomas Thomas, who played Dee's big brother Raj, shared his own tribute, writing, " 'No more suffering' for my baby sister DR. DANIELLE SPENCER. She decided at 9 years old I was going to be her big brother for life." "A month ago, I had made arrangements for her to move to LA. A mutual friend, Darren Dill, was going to give her the master bedroom and a retired Christian couple, also great friends, Kirk and Lois Roberts, were going to be her caretakers. But she wanted to wait until her bed sores were healed," Thomas revealed. "I got news last night from Haywood Nelson that Danielle's mother said she had passed. My body tightened and stiffened like it was extremely heavy and waves of emotions came over me. I am happy she was with her mother and brother when she transitioned. I thank GOD for giving me 49 years of a supernatural friendship, millions of laughs, countless days worshiping our Savior CHRIST JESUS. Grateful but full of tears. 2 Corinthians 5:8 'ABSENT FROM THE BODY PRESENT WITH THE LORD.' " Jeremy Pelt Danielle's brother, Jeremy Pelt, shared a heartfelt message about how much his sister meant to him, alongside photos of their memories together throughout the years. "August 11, 2025 will forever be a reminder of the day that I lost a big part of myself. After many years, my big sister, Dr. Danielle Louise Spencer lost her battle with cancer," he began. "Many of you knew her as 'Dee,' but she was more than a child actress. She was a friend, an auntie to my three children who adored her, she was a daughter- and in many ways, my mother's best friend, she was a veterinarian, she was someone who always remained positive even during her darkest days fighting this disease. And she was MY sister and protector." Holly Robinson Peete Holly Robinson Peete recalled first meeting Danielle as teenagers and developing a special bond. "Oh, this is just gutting 💔💔💔 I'm so sad to hear about the loss of this beautiful woman who I met in 1977 when we were just 13. We hit it off immediately. We went to junior high school together when she wasn't taping What's Happening and I spent a lot of time on that set," she shared. "Danielle was such a brilliant as an actress-comedian. Her 'Dee' was HILARIOUS Her comedic timing was absolutely perfect!! She should've won all the Emmys! I mean she would just walk on set and the audience would be ready to laugh. Few actors on sitcoms had that super power…" Read the original article on People
2 days ago
- Entertainment
Star of '70s sitcom 'What's Happening!!', Danielle Spencer, dies at 60
Actress Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom "What's Happening!!," has died after a long battle with cancer.
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
‘What's Happening!!' child TV star Danielle Spencer dies at 60
Child star Danielle Spencer, who portrayed Dee Thomas on the 1970s comedy TV series 'What's Happening!!,' has died at 60, according to former co-star and friend Haywood Nelson. In an Instagram post, Nelson said Spencer died Monday in Virginia. Family spokesperson Sandra Jones confirmed to the Associated Press that Spencer died after a yearslong battle with cancer. Nelson told NBCLA Tuesday that he spoke with Spencer's mother, who confirmed she had died. He described Spencer as a 'brilliant person who loved animals' and moved on from acting to become a veterinarian. Nelson, who played Dwayne as Spencer's ' What's Happening!! ' co-star, told NBCLA he spoke to her about a week ago and marveled at her positivity and optimism. 'Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail, has finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body,' Nelson said in his Instagram post. 'We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer.' Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent emergency surgery for brain bleed in 2018. She played Dee Thomas, a sassy young member of the Thomas family on 'What's Happening!!,' which was broadcast on ABC from 1976 to 1979. She reprised the role in 'What's Happening Now!!' in the 1980s. Born in New Jersey, Spencer was seriously injured in a major car crash in 1976 that killed her stepfather, actor Tim Pelt. She attended the University of California, Davis and pursued a degree in medicine. She then pursued her life-long passion for helping animals, attending Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Alabama and becoming a veterinarian in 1996.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Danielle Spencer's Cause of Death Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Danielle Spencer, the former child actor best known for playing Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!!, died on Monday at the age of 60. The actress' death was due to gastric cancer and cardiac arrest, family friend and spokesperson Sandra Jones confirmed to ABC News. The Context Spencer starred in 65 episodes of What's Happening!! (1976–1979) and reprised her role in the sequel What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988). The shows were among the early American television programs to follow the lives of Black teenagers. She later earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993 and practiced in the Richmond, Virginia, area after relocating there from California in 2014, according to ABC News. (L) Actress Danielle Spencer from the TV show "What's Happening!!" poses for a photo in November 1976 in Los Angeles, California. (R) Danielle Spencer, circa 1988. (L) Actress Danielle Spencer from the TV show "What's Happening!!" poses for a photo in November 1976 in Los Angeles, California. (R) Danielle Spencer, circa 1988. Michael; Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer What To Know Spencer died on August 11 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond. Prior to her death, the sitcom star had a history of health issues. In 1977, Spencer was involved in a car accident that killed her stepfather and manager, Tim Pelt, her website bio states. She was in a coma for three weeks and had broken bones in her arm, leg and pelvis. Decades later, the injuries she endured left her wheelchair-bound, and she underwent physical therapy to learn how to walk again. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2018, she had emergency surgery to relieve bleeding in the brain. Spencer was inducted into the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, marking the first time a child star received the honor. "I still can't believe it," she told in 2014. "That's something people can look at for years to come, long after I'm gone." What People Are Saying Sandra Jones told ABC News on Tuesday: "This untimely death is really hard to process right now. She is a sweet and gentle soul and she is going to be missed very, very much." Jeremy Pelt, Spencer's brother and jazz musician, penned a lengthy message to his sister via Instagram: "August 11, 2025 will forever be a reminder of the day that I lost a big part of myself. After many years, my big sister, Dr. Danielle Louise Spencer lost her battle with cancer." "Many of you knew her as 'Dee,' but she was more than a child actress. She was a friend, an auntie to my three children who adored her, she was a daughter- and in many ways, my mother's best friend, she was a veterinarian, she was someone who always remained positive even during her darkest days fighting this disease. And she was MY sister and protector." "My immediate family, of which there were only three of us had an unusual knack for always being connected even if we weren't always in contact with each other. Dani and I- our bond got stronger the older I (in particular) got. She's 11 years older than me. I used to relish our texts back and forth using unfiltered 'real' talk." "She positively LOVED Milo, Charlie and Amma and constantly dreamed of a time they'd all be visiting her and 'Mimi' (grandmother). The times they made it down south, she was always so encouraging. Always so uplifting. I'm rambling...I'm so fucking fucking gutted... I watched her take her last breath... I'm thankful for that." "I love you, forever." Haywood Nelson, Spencer's What's Happening!! co-star, wrote on Instagram: "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." What Happens Next Spencer is survived by her brother, Jeremy Pelt, and mother, Cheryl Pelt. At the time of writing, no public memorial or funeral plans have been announced.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Danielle Spencer, What's Happening!! Star and Veterinarian, Passes Away at 60 After Cancer Battle
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to an individual's death. Danielle Spencer, best known for playing Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!!, has passed away at the age of 60. According to family spokesperson Sandra Jones, Spencer died Monday, August 11, 2025, at a Richmond, Virginia hospital after a yearslong battle with cancer. According to ABC News, Spencer became a household name as Dee Thomas, the witty and clever younger sister who often delivered deadpan roasts to her big brother Roger 'Raj' Thomas and his friends Dwayne Nelson and Freddie 'Rerun' Stubbs. Her catchphrase, 'Ooh, I'm gonna tell mama,' became iconic. The show, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979, was among the first television series to focus on the lives of Black teenagers in Los Angeles' Watts neighborhood and was inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High. Here's how Danielle Spencer overcame life challenges Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in New York, Spencer started acting at the age of nine. What's Happening!! was her first credited role. Early in the show's first season, the then-12-year-old Spencer was involved in a severe car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. The crash left her in a three-week coma and killed her stepfather, Tim Pelt. She experienced long-term spinal and neurological problems that required multiple surgeries over the years. Despite her health struggles, Spencer pursued education and a career in veterinary medicine. She attended the University of California, Davis, and UCLA before earning a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993. Spencer became a veterinarian and an advocate for animal rights, while occasionally returning to acting, including a role as a veterinarian in the 1997 Jack Nicholson film As Good as It Gets. Tributes from co-stars and legacy Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne on What's Happening!!, paid tribute on Instagram, calling Spencer 'Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior.' He added, '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.' Spencer also appeared in the 1980s reboot, What's Happening Now!!, which ran for three seasons. She survived a bleeding hematoma in 2018, linked to her 1977 car crash, and had been managing mobility issues since at least 2004. In 2014, she underwent a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis.
