Danielle Spencer dead at 60: What’s Happening!! child star passes away after cancer battle

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Iconic child star Danielle Spencer has died aged 60.

Spencer, most recognized for portraying the lively Dee Thomas in What’s Happening!! (airing from 1976 to 1979), sadly passed away on Monday, August 11, following a hard-fought battle against cancer.

In a heartfelt tribute, Haywood Nelson, once her fellow actor from the ABC series, confirmed her passing as he portrayed Dwayne Clemens Nelson on the same show.

‘What a marvel! It appears in countless shapes. Each of us possesses it, and we all belong to the Spencer family – Dr. Danielle Spencer (June 24, 1965 – August 11, 2025).’

Here, I have attempted to make the sentence more accessible by using simpler vocabulary and rephrasing some of the sentences for clarity while retaining the original meaning.

‘Dr. Dee, our intelligent, kind-hearted, optimistic, practical fighter, has unfortunately passed away after a long struggle with cancer. We honor Danielle Spencer for her accomplishments and mourn her passing.’

Danielle, who was not just a family member and a beloved cast member of ‘What’s Happening,’ but also a daughter, sister, veterinarian, advocate for animal rights, and healer, has tragically passed away. She was also known as our ‘Shero’ due to her incredible battle against cancer. Danielle is deeply loved and will be sorely missed in this physical form; however, she will forever remain embraced in our hearts.

As a devoted admirer, I find myself often echoing the words of Dee, the beloved sibling of Raj Thomas (Ernest Thomas) and cherished daughter of Mabel (Mabel King). Known for her distinctive catchphrase, “Oooh, I’m gonna tell mama!”, she has left an indelible mark on my heart.

In simpler terms, after that, she once again took on her character in the follow-up series of “What’s Happening Now!” that ran for three seasons from 1985 to 1988.

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2025-08-12 19:33