Danielle Spencer is an American former actress and child star best known for her role as Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!

[2] The show was a summer mid-season replacement, but performed so well in its time slot that a full season was ordered.

Upon her return, she attended the University of California-Davis to earn a degree in veterinary medicine, a pursuit that was encouraged by her late stepfather.

episodes had done well, in some markets eclipsing the show's ratings during its network run, in 1985 a sequel series was created called What's Happening Now!!.

In 2004, Spencer experienced balance and chronic pain issues and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis as a result of the injuries from her 1977 car accident.

[6] In an interview with People, Spencer credited her own battle with spinal injury and paralysis for changing her perspective on the treatment of animals from simply alleviating their pain to finding the underlying cause of their problems.

[7] In 2014, Spencer was inducted as part of the permanent exhibition of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

She also became involved in fashion design and debuted her "Dani Collection" line, which was patterned after her own style of dress.

[8] Speaking out for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Spencer told Black America Web that her diagnosis took her by surprise.