Danielle Spencer (American actress)

Danielle Louise Spencer (June 24, 1965 – August 11, 2025) was an American actress best known for her role as Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!!, which ran from 1976 until 1979. She reprised the role on the series' sequel, What's Happening Now!! After her acting career, Spencer became a veterinarian.

Infobox

Born

Danielle Louise Spencer(1965-06-24)June 24, 1965Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.

Died

August 11, 2025(2025-08-11) (aged 60)Richmond, Virginia, U.S.

Other names

Danielle Spencer-David

Alma mater

mw- UCLA (BS)Tuskegee University (DVM)

Occupations

mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li Actressveterinarian

Years active

1976–19881997–2001 (acting)

Spouse

mw- Garry Fields (m. 1999; div. 2013) David L. David (m. 2014)

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1997

As Good as It Gets

Role(s)

Veterinarian

2001

Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix

Role(s)

Veterinarian

Notes

Short film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1997	As Good as It Gets	Veterinarian
2001	Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix	Veterinarian	Short film

· Filmography › Television

1977

The Brady Bunch Hour

Role(s)

Dee

Notes

Episode: "Episode #1.7"

1978

Special Treat

Role(s)

Emma Sheridan

Notes

Episode: "The Tap Dancing Kid"

1985–1988

Role(s)

What's Happening Now!!

Notes

Dee Thomas

2001

Days of Our Lives

Role(s)

Salem Place Vendor

Notes

Episode: "Episode #1.9023"

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1976–1979	What's Happening!!	Dee Thomas	63 episodes
1977	The Brady Bunch Hour	Dee	Episode: "Episode "
1978	Special Treat	Emma Sheridan	Episode: "The Tap Dancing Kid"
1985–1988	What's Happening Now!!	Dee Thomas	16 episodes
2001	Days of Our Lives	Salem Place Vendor	Episode: "Episode "

References

Richmond Times-Dispatch
https://richmond.com/entertainment/television/danielle-spencer-david-child-actor-on-what-s-happening-makes/article_07a5c76b-2927-5697-a42e-de88bc218167.html
"Spencer, Danielle", in Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television, by Bob McCann (McFarland, Inc
Variety
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/danielle-spencer-dead-whats-happening-1236487498/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/arts/television/danielle-spencer-dead.html
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/danielle-spencer-dead-whats-happening-1236342214/
Ebony
https://books.google.com/books?id=CM4DAAAAMBAJ&q=What%27s+Happening!!+cooley+high&pg=PA74
"Garry Fields"
https://quiwho.com/tag/garry-fields/
People.com
https://people.com/danielle-spencer-dead-whats-happening-child-star-11789583
Actress and Author Danielle Spencer: Overcoming Adversity to Beat the Odds[permanent dead link] By Tanisha Pettiford Sun
http://dovestylemagazine.presspublisher.org/issue/november-2012-issue/article/actress-and-author-danielle-spencer-overcoming-adversity-to-beat-the-odds
"What's Happening!!" Star Danielle Spencer: Overcoming Chronic Back Pain Archived December 17, 2012, at the Wayback Mach
http://www.backpainrelief.net/danielle-spencer/
Saugus Animal Hospital − Danielle Spencer DVM, 27737 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Ste 130, Saugus, CA 91350 Archived December 17,
http://www.superpages.com/bp/Saugus-CA/Saugus-Animal-Hospital-Danielle-Spencer-DVM-L2152746961.htm
What's Happening!! Star Danielle Spencer: Paralysis Changed My View of Animals Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback
http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20601315,00.html
ABCnews
https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/10/whats-happening-star-danielle-spencer-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/
Former Child Star Danielle Spencer Talks Smithsonian Honor And Breast Cancer Diagnosis published October 20, 2014, By To
http://blackamericaweb.com/2014/10/20/former-child-star-danielle-spencer-talks-personal-battle-with-breast-cancer/
Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/danielle-spencer-whats-happening-actress-dead-60