Danielle Spencer, the former child star from the 1970s sitcom What’s Happening!! died, her co-star Haywood Nelson announced on August 12, 2025. Spencer was 60 years old. The late actor-turned-veterinarian was battling a form of cancer during the end of her life, and fans are wondering what her cause of death since Spencer was only 60.
The announcement of Spencer’s death was shared via Nelson’s unverified Instagram account. It read, in part, “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.”
Below, learn about Spencer’s life, career and death.
Spencer was a child actor famous for playing the role of Dee in What’s Happening!! The comedy series was loosely based on the 1975 movie Cooley High. The successful sitcom ran on ABC for three seasons from 1976 to 1979 and was given a sequel sitcom titled What’s Happening Now!!, which lasted another three years.
Known for her character’s catch phrase, “Ooooh, I’m gonna tell Mama!” Spencer returned for the sequel show, which ran from 1985 to 1988.
According to Nelson, Spencer died following a battle with cancer. In his Instagram statement, the actor wrote, “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.”
