Beloved ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Danielle Spencer Dies at 60. From TV Darling to Million-Dollar Veterinarian, How Did She Do It?

Danielle Spencer transformed from beloved child star to successful veterinarian, building a remarkable life that extended far beyond her iconic role as Dee Thomas on “What’s Happening!!”

A Varied Career

The actress died at age 60 on Aug. 11, leaving behind an estimated net worth of $1 million earned through her diverse career in entertainment, medicine, and business ventures.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Spencer’s wealth stemmed from multiple income streams that showcased her remarkable ability to reinvent herself beyond the typical child star trajectory.

Her entertainment career began when she was cast at age 11 as Dee Thomas, the witty younger sister who became known for her deadpan delivery and memorable catchphrases. “What’s Happening!!” ran from 1976 to 1979, with Spencer appearing in all 65 episodes of the series that broke new ground for Black representation on television.

Her former co-star Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne Nelson, announced Spencer’s passing on Instagram, calling her “Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior.”

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Nelson revealed that Spencer had “finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body” after her long battle with cancer.

Jeremy Pelt, Spencer’s younger brother and an accomplished jazz trumpeter, described her as “more than a child actress” who remained positive even during her darkest days fighting the disease.

The financial foundation of Spencer’s wealth was built during her television years. She reprised her iconic role in the sequel series “What’s Happening Now!!” which aired from 1985 to 1988, adding to her entertainment earnings. Between the original series and its sequel, Spencer appeared in over 80 episodes, establishing a steady income base that would support her later career transitions.

Spencer’s most significant career pivot came when she pursued veterinary medicine, inspired by her late stepfather Tim Pelt. She attended the University of California-Davis before completing her doctorate at Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Alabama, graduating in 1993.

For over two decades, Spencer worked as a practicing veterinarian, initially in Santa Clarita, California, and later in Richmond, Virginia, where she also hosted pet care segments for WTVR-TV’s morning newscasts.

Her veterinary practice became a substantial source of income, with Spencer telling Jet magazine that she celebrated her 20th year as a veterinarian in 2013.

She operated at several hospitals in Southern California and maintained that the profession allowed her flexibility to pursue other interests while providing a steady income from her medical expertise.

Spencer diversified her earnings through writing, publishing her memoir “Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star,” which chronicled her experiences in the entertainment industry and led to renewed interest in her story.

She also ventured into fashion with “The Dani Collection,” a clothing line inspired by her personal style that added to her income portfolio.

Her occasional returns to acting included a notable role as a veterinarian in the 1997 James L. Brooks film “As Good as It Gets,” starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. These appearances, while infrequent, contributed to her overall earnings and kept her connected to the entertainment industry.

Spencer faced significant health challenges that ultimately impacted her later earning potential. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Her health struggles were complicated by long-term effects from a devastating 1977 car accident that killed her stepfather and left her in a coma for three weeks. In 2018, she required emergency surgery to address brain bleeding linked to that decades-old accident, with a GoFundMe page established to help cover mounting medical expenses.

Spencer died at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, from complications related to gastric cancer and cardiac arrest, with her mother Cheryl and brother Jeremy by her side. Her $1 million net worth represents a life of purposeful reinvention and financial prudence that extended far beyond her childhood fame.