'What's Happening!!' Star Danielle Spencer Dies at 60 - Details

Danielle Spencer's journey from child star to dedicated veterinarian was marked by early fame, personal tragedy, and a lifelong commitment to helping others, both on and off screen.

Danielle Spencer, the actress and veterinarian best known as Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom "What's Happening!!," died on Monday night at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, at age 60, her sitcom co-star Haywood Nelson confirmed.

After a battle with gastric cancer, she leaves behind her mother, Cheryl Pelt, and her step-brother, Jeremy Pelt. In the wake of her death, tributes poured in from friends and loved ones.

On social media, her co-star Haywood honored Danielle with a heartfelt message celebrating her many roles in life, while acknowledging the profound loss felt by those who knew and loved her.

Her step-brother and jazz musician, Jeremy, remembered her as someone who faced her illness with remarkable strength and compassion until her final days. Reverend Marcus Martin, pastor of New Bridge Baptist Church, also celebrated her as someone warm and approachable, consistently engaging with others and embracing life with resilience and purpose.

Born on June 24, 1965, in New York City, Danielle reportedly began acting at age 7 in a repertory company co-founded by her stepfather, actor Timothy Pelt. She appeared in small, uncredited film roles, including "Serpico" and "Harry and Tonto," before winning the part of Dee over hundreds of other young actors.

The former child star rose to fame playing the sharp-tongued younger sister in the 1970s sitcom that followed the everyday adventures and challenges of three friends growing up in an urban neighborhood.

The show aired for three seasons in the late 1970s. Nearly a decade later, she returned to portray the same character in its follow-up series, "What's Happening Now!," appearing in 16 episodes over a three-year run in the mid-1980s.

The former child star also earned a place in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in recognition of her contributions to television.

However, her early success was overshadowed by a devastating car accident at age 12 on the Pacific Coast Highway. Police reported that Tim was driving a station wagon southbound on the Pacific Coast Highway when the vehicle veered over the center line and struck a northbound car.

The impact caused the two vehicles to sideswipe a van traveling in the same direction as the car, and her stepfather died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash.

The crash left Danielle with serious injuries, including a broken arm, significant damage to her knee, and a deep forehead wound that required reconstructive surgery. Friends organized a fundraiser to help with medical costs.

After the sitcom concluded, Danielle lived in the Ivory Coast before returning to the United States for her studies. She completed coursework at UC Davis and UCLA, eventually earning her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University in 1993.

She went on to build her veterinary career in California's Santa Clarita Valley, a path she decided to pursue after an encounter with a female veterinarian during her youth sparked her interest in animal care.

Alongside her work as a veterinarian, Danielle became a familiar presence on Richmond television, sharing advice on animal health and wellness during regular segments.

She faced a series of serious health battles over the years. At one point, a spinal condition left her temporarily paralyzed for several months, a condition she believed could have been connected to her earlier accident.

Despite her health struggles, Danielle maintained strong ties with her former "What's Happening!!" co-stars, staying in touch and reflecting warmly on the friendships and guidance they shared during their time on set.

Danielle's life was one of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering compassion, from her early rise as a beloved television star to her decades-long dedication to caring for animals. Her death has left an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to know her.