What’s Happening!! star Ernest Lee Thomas posted a loving tribute following his “sister” Danielle Spencer’s death at age 60. On Aug. 13, the ’70s sitcom star posted a throwback photo to Instagram that showed him with Spencer at a film festival together. Spencer was leaning on crutches as she posed in a glamorous gown in the photo.
“’No more suffering’ for my baby sister DR. DANIELLE SPENCER,” Thomas, 76, captioned the photo. “She decided at 9 years old I was going to be her big brother for life. A month ago, I had made arrangements for her to move to LA. A mutual friend, Darren Dill, was going to give her the master bedroom, and a retired Christian couple also great friends, Kirk and Lois Roberts, were going to be her caretakers. But she wanted to wait until her bed sores were healed.”
Thomas revealed that he became extremely emotional when he found out that Spencer had died on Aug. 11.
“I got news last night from Haywood Nelson that Danielle’s mother said she had passed,” he wrote. “My body tightened and stiffened like it was extremely heavy and waves of emotions came over me. I am happy she was with her mother and brother when she transitioned. I thank GOD for giving me 49 years of a supernatural friendship, millions of laughs, countless days worshiping our Savior CHRIST JESUS. Grateful but full of tears. 2 Corinthians 5:8 “ABSENT FROM THE BODY PRESENT WITH THE LORD.”
From 1979 to 1979, Thomas played Raj Thomas on What’s Happening!!, while Spencer played his younger sister Dee, for three seasons on the original sitcom. Spencer, whose catchphrase was “Ooh, I’m tellin’ Mama!,” also had a recurring role on the What’s Happening Now!! spinoff from 1985 to 1987.
Danielle Spencer Suffered From Medical Problems for Much of Her Life
At age 12, Spencer was severely injured in a car crash during the first season of What’s Happening!! She was left with lifelong spinal and neurological problems, and her walking was impaired for years afterward.
In 1993, Spencer earned her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University Veterinary School in Alabama, according to her official website.
Spencer’s death was first announced on Instagram by her co-star Haywood Nelson, who played family friend Duane on What’s Happening!!
In a poignant tribute, Nelson, 65, shared that Spencer died after suffering from cancer. “We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, ‘What’s Happening’ cast member, veterinarian, animal rights proponent, healer, and cancer heroine. Our Shero,” Nelson wrote. “Danielle is loved. She will be missed in this form and forever embraced.”
Thomas and Nelson are now the last surviving main cast members from What’s Happening!!
Related: Beloved ‘70s Child Star’s Death at Age 60 Announced by Co-Star
