Dr. Danielle Spencer, finest identified for her position as Dee Thomas on the Nineteen Seventies sitcom What’s Taking place!!, has died at age 60. Her passing was introduced on social media by her longtime pal and co-star Haywood Nelson, who performed Dwayne Nelson on the collection.
In response to Nelson’s submit, Spencer died Monday following a “lengthy battle with most cancers.” Whereas she shall be fondly remembered for her work on What’s Taking place!! and its Nineteen Eighties sequel What’s Taking place Now!!, Spencer went on to construct a profession as a veterinarian, dedicating her life to caring for animals.
“We now have misplaced a daughter, sister, member of the family, What’s Taking place forged member, veterinarian, animal rights proponent and healer, and most cancers heroine,” Nelson wrote. “Our Shero. Danielle is cherished. She shall be missed on this type and eternally embraced.”
In a 1985 interview with the AmNews, whereas she was in school majoring in pre-veterinary drugs, Spencer mentioned her ardour for her work.
“I’ve all the time had a knack for caring for animals and I’ve all the time been serious about chemistry, bacteriology and in regards to the physique,” she mentioned.
What’s Taking place!! aired on ABC for 3 seasons from 1976 to 1979, following three Black teenage pals—Raj (Ernest Lee Thomas), Dwayne (Nelson), and Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs (Fred Berry)—rising up in Los Angeles. Spencer performed Dee, Raj’s quick-witted youthful sister. The sequel collection, What’s Taking place Now!!, ran from 1985 to 1988, with the unique forged reprising their roles as adults.
Further reporting by Siddeeq Fortner
