Danielle Spencer (US actress)
| Danielle Spencer | |
|---|---|
Spencer in 1977
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| Born |
June 24, 1965 Trenton, New Jersey, United States |
| Occupation | Actress, veterinarian |
| Years active | 1976–2001 |
| Spouse(s) | Garry Fields |
Danielle Spencer (born June 24, 1965) is an American actress and former child star best known for her role as Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!!, which ran from 1976 to 1979. She would later reprise the role on the series' sequel, What's Happening Now!!
Spencer was born in Trenton, New Jersey to writer Cheryl Pelt. Spencer's parents separated when she was very young. Her mother eventually married actor Tim Pelt, whom Spencer considered to be her father. Soon after the family relocated to the Bronx, New York. Spencer became an actor around the age of 8 and began taking acting classes. In 1976, Spencer was chosen to co-star as bratty younger sister "Dee Thomas" in the program What's Happening!! which was loosely based on the film Cooley High. The show was a summer mid-season replacement, but performed so well in its time slot that a full second season was ordered.
On September 7, 1977, during the second season of the show, Spencer and Tim Pelt were in a severe car accident that left Spencer in a coma for three weeks and killed her stepfather. Tim Pelt's injuries were caused by trying to protect Spencer during the crash. Spencer has no memories of the accident and spent six months recuperating in arm and leg casts.
After the cancellation of the program in 1979, Spencer and her mother relocated to Africa for a time. Upon her return she attended the University of California-Davis to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine, a pursuit that was encouraged by her late stepfather. During this time "What's Happening!!" had been in syndication for a number of years. Repeats of the show's 65 episodes did reasonably well in syndication and in some markets the show actually had higher ratings in syndication than during the network run. In 1985, a sequel to the show was created called What's Happening Now!!. Spencer went on to participate in the revival of her character, Dee, for three seasons while still attending college. While matriculating her sophomore year, Danielle pledged and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. After the show was canceled in 1988 Spencer attended Tuskegee University Veterinary School, in Tuskegee, Alabama. She became a veterinarian in 1996.
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