'What's Happening!!' Star Danielle Spencer Dead at 60

Danielle Spencer, who became a prominent face as a child star on the popular '70s sitcom What's Happening!! has died at the age of 60.

Spencer's longtime friend and What's Happening costar, Haywood Nelson, made the announcement of her passing, writing, "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)."

He continued, "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."

Finally, Nelson adds, "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."

Nelson tells TMZ Spencer died in a Richmond, Virginia hospital with her mom Cheryl and her jazz musician brother, Jeremy Pelt, there by her side.

Spencer became famous for her role as Dee Thomas on the popular '70s show when it ran from 1976-1979. She then joined the show's spin-off series What's Happening Now!! for a brief run in the '80s.

Spencer later went on to become a veterinarian, though she still took on the occasional acting gig. Among her other TV credits were Days of Our Lives and The Brady Bunch Hour. She also played a veterinarian in the movie As Good As It Gets.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Spencer several years ago to assist with medical expenses as she battled a brain bleed. Prior to that, back in 2014, Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.