‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Danielle Spencer Fondly Remembered After BRAVE Breast Cancer Fight

Fans are fondly looking back on the comedy career of Danielle Spencer, who played Dee Thomas on ’70s sitcom “What’s Happening!” after her death was announced by several news outlets on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. She was 60 years old.

The Hollywood Reporter says they learned from Spencer’s costar, Haywood Nelson, that the actress died the morning of Monday, August 11 in a Richmond, Virginia hospital. They say Nelson told them, “She suffered for a very long time but did it with a great deal of courage.”

The outlet says Spencer fought a years-long health battle, undergoing a double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2014, and emergency surgery for a brain bleed four years later.

Danielle Spencer’s Costar Haywood Nelson Opened Up About Her Death On Social Media

Nelson, who played Dwayne on the show, took to his Instagram to remember the child star. He began his tribute by writing, “Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them and we all have this family’s – Danielle Spencer.’

He also called his friend loving, positive, and a “pragmatic warrior.”

Nelson also praised the actress for being an animal rights proponent. The New York Amsterdam News says she built a career as a veterinarian and “dedicated her life to caring for animals” after retiring from Hollywood.

Spencer previously battled back from the brink of death at the age of 12 while starring on TV. The New York Post says Spencer famously survived a serious car crash during production of “What’s Happening!!” in 1977. The accident left Spencer in a three-week coma and killed her stepfather, Tim Pelt.

Danielle Spencer’s Cause of Death: GoFundMe Campaign Detailed Health Battles

Although Spencer’s precise cause of death has not yet been announced, a GoFundMe campaign to help with her medical bills which was started in 2019 left some clues.

The page declared, “Losing is not an option” and called Spencer “an entertainer who kept many of us with smiles on our faces.”

The page went on to reveal that Spencer’s childhood car crash left her with a broken leg arm and pelvis, and caused a bleeding hematoma to form that caused Spencer to start suffering debilitating headaches 42 years later. “These headaches left her unresponsive and caused her to almost succumb to her illness,” the statement said. Spencer required surgery for the hematoma.

The page went on to explain, “The surgery was a success and she must now heal and recover. As of today it is not known how long she will be in recovery because of her recent bout with cancer and spinal cord injury.”

Fans commemorated the UC Davis grad in the comments of an Action 5 News Facebook post about her death.

“Dr. Spencer is a heroine in her own right. She is a very decent person. She made a great life of her own after acting. She was an outstanding veterinarian and advocate much to animal welfare. She will be missed,” wrote one fan, after declaring the news “heartbreaking.”

Another person said, “Very funny actress and had successful post-acting career as a veterinarian. Prayers for her family and friends.”