Dr. Danielle Spencer, actress known for her role as “Dee” on “What’s Happening!!” from 1976-79, has died. She was 60 years old.
Spencer, who grew up in the Bronx, died after a long battle with cancer Aug. 11. It was not the only health issue she contended with throughout her life, according to reports from USA TODAY and other media.
During the filming of the second season of What’s Happening!!, Spencer and her stepfather Tim Pelt were in a serious car accident that left the young actress in a coma for three weeks. Her father died as a result of the accident. Spencer suffered from chronic pain throughout her life following the accident, and was eventually diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2004.
In a 2016 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Spencer said the accident changed her life. Thankfully, she said, her body healed, and she was “right back on the show” for the final season of “What’s Happening!!” Spencer said she began to experience “tingly” feelings in her limbs and bouts of numbness, eventually being diagnosed with a calcified disk in her upper back, likely a result of the accident, she said. After undergoing surgery to correct the issue, she woke up paralyzed. She regained mobility with the help of physical therapy.
Danielle Spencer arrives for the 4th annual TV Land Awards held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, March 19, 2006.
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In 2014, Spencer revealed she had been battling breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy. That same year, she was inducted into the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the only child actor to receive such an honor.
Spencer went on after “What’s Happening!!” and the show’s sequel, “What’s Happening Now!!”, as well as other minor roles, to study veterinary medicine at Tuskegee University in Alabama in the 1990s. She eventually relocated to Virginia.
‘What’s Happening!!’ cast members react to actress’ death
Haywood Nelson, who starred opposite Spencer on What’s Happening!!, shared the news of Spencer’s death on Instagram.
“Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail, has finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body,” Nelson wrote. “We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer.
“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.”
Ernest Lee Thomas, who took on the role of Spencer’s brother on screen, and off as the two remained close after the sitcom’s end, also shared a tribute to the actress on Instagram.
“‘No more suffering’ for my baby sister DR. DANIELLE SPENCER. She decided at 9 years old I was going to be her big brother for life,” Thomas wrote. “I got news last night from Haywood Nelson that Danielle’s mother said she had passed. My body tightened and stiffened like it was extremely heavy and waves of emotions came over me. I am happy she was with her mother and brother when she transitioned. I thank GOD for giving me 49 years of a supernatural friendship, millions of laughs, countless days worshiping our Savior CHRIST JESUS. Grateful but full of tears.”
Contributing: USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: ‘What’s Happening’ cast mourns death of Danielle Spencer: ‘Our Shero’
