RIP Dee from What’s happening. Danielle Spencer. She was 60.

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Illness and death​

Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2014. Spencer told Black America Web that her diagnosis took her by surprise. "With everything that I've been through with the spinal cord injury, I said I know God is not going to give me another affliction," she said, "so I was completely shocked when the doctors told me." Though the news came as a surprise, Spencer said the disease runs in her family. "I have a lot of help and support around me," she said. Spencer stated that she was considering her treatment options, with surgery at the top of the list. "I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible but it does look like that is what I'm going to do," she said. "Hopefully after that there won't be any chemotherapy or radiation involved."

In 2018, Spencer underwent emergency surgery to relieve bleeding in her brain.

Spencer died from stomach cancer at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on August 11, 2025, at the age of 60

 

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On September 6, 1977, during the production of the second season episode "Trial and Error," Spencer and her stepfather Tim Pelt were involved in a severe car accident that left Spencer in a coma for three weeks and caused Pelt's death. Pelt's fatal injuries were caused by trying to protect Spencer during the crash. Spencer had no memories of the accident and spent six months recuperating with physical therapy.

She had a rough life. Yet battled to the end. RIP

 

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While in her sophomore year, she pledged and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. After What's Happening Now!! was canceled in 1988, she earned a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine in 1993 from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Alabama. She became a veterinarian in 1996