Danielle Spencer, who played Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at 60 after a long battle with cancer. Her former co-star Haywood Nelson shared the news, and fans and colleagues posted tributes.
Danielle Spencer of “What’s Happening!!” dies at 60
Danielle Spencer, who played the quick-witted younger sister Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening!!, has died at 60 after a long battle with cancer. Her death was shared by her former co-star Haywood Nelson on Tuesday.
Fans and colleagues posted tributes remembering her comic timing and her place in one of the best-known Black family sitcoms of the 1970s.
Co-star Haywood Nelson shares the news
Nelson, who played Dwayne on the show, posted a tribute to Spencer on social media listing her dates of birth and death, June 24, 1965, and August 11, 2025. His post was widely shared by fans and entertainment outlets.
The role of Dee Thomas
What’s Happening!!, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979, was loosely inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High. Spencer played Dee, the outspoken little sister of Raj Thomas, and her sharp one-liners, including her frequent threat to tell “Mama,” became one of the show’s trademarks. She returned to the role in the follow-up series What’s Happening Now!! in the 1980s.
Life after the show
After her acting career, Spencer went on to become a veterinarian. She occasionally returned for interviews and reunions with her former castmates, where she remained a fan favorite.
Illness
Spencer had faced serious health problems in her later years, including cancer, and spoke publicly about her treatment.
Legacy
What’s Happening!! remains popular in reruns and on streaming services, and Spencer’s performance as Dee is still widely remembered by viewers who grew up with the show. Fans marked her death by sharing favorite scenes and episodes.
Source: ABC7 News
