Former child star Danielle Spencer died Aug. 11 at age 60 following a battle with breast cancer.

Spencer’s friend and former “What’s Happening!!” costar Haywood Nelson shared the news in an Instagram post on Aug. 12.

“Brilliance! It comes in a great many forms. We all have them and we all have this family’s - Dr. Danielle Spencer (June 24, 1965 – August 11, 2025),” Nelson’s caption read. “Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior, without fail, has finally found her release from the clutches of this world and a body.”

The post continued, “We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer. We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, What’s Happening cast member, veterinarian anima

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