Danielle Spencer husband history includes two marriages that shaped her personal life beyond the spotlight. The beloved What’s Happening star who passed away in August 2025 at age 60 had been married twice but never had children. Her journey from child actress to veterinarian was marked by love, loss, and career changes. Fans searching for details about her relationships, family background, and professional achievements will find her story both inspiring and heartbreaking.
Danielle died from stomach cancer on August 11, 2025 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She became famous at just 11 years old playing Dee Thomas on the 1970s ABC sitcom. After surviving a tragic car accident that killed her stepfather, she left Hollywood to become a licensed veterinarian. This article covers her marriages to Garry Fields and David L David, her family roots in New Jersey, and how she built two successful careers in entertainment and animal medicine.
Bio
| Field | Details (2026) |
| Full Name | Danielle Louise Spencer |
| Known As | Danielle Spencer |
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Trenton, New Jersey, United States |
| Date of Death | August 11, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 60 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Veterinarian |
| Famous For | Role of Dee Thomas on What’s Happening!! |
| Television Debut | What’s Happening!! (1976) |
| Notable TV Shows | What’s Happening!!, What’s Happening Now!! |
| Film Appearance | As Good as It Gets (1997) |
| Education | University of California–Davis; Tuskegee University |
| Veterinary License | Licensed Veterinarian (1996) |
| Career Shift | Transitioned from acting to veterinary medicine |
| Father | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Mother | Cheryl Pelt (Writer) |
| Stepfather | Tim Pelt (Considered her real father) |
| Marital Status | Married twice (Divorced) |
| First Husband | Garry Fields (m. 1999 – div. 2013) |
| Second Husband | David L. David (Marriage ended before 2025) |
| Children | None |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
| Memoir | Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star |
| Awards & Honors | TV Land Awards Reunion (2006) |
| Legacy | Remembered as a beloved sitcom star and compassionate veterinarian |
What’s Happening Star Danielle Passed Away
Danielle Spencer died on August 11, 2025 at Chippenham Hospital after a tough battle with stomach cancer. Her former co-star Haywood Nelson shared the heartbreaking news, calling her a brilliant and loving warrior who never gave up. Family spokesperson Sandra Jones said the loss felt untimely, and fans who grew up watching the 1970s sitcom felt like they lost a childhood friend.
The actress spent her final days surrounded by loved ones in Richmond, Virginia where she had been receiving treatment. Her death shocked the entertainment world because she had kept her illness private, staying strong until the end. The What’s Happening cast reunion at the 2006 TV Land Awards was one of her last major public appearances where fans got to see Dee Thomas one more time.
Key Facts About Her Passing:
- Passed away from stomach cancer complications at age 60
- Death occurred at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia
- Former castmate Haywood Nelson announced the sad news publicly
- Family kept her cancer fight mostly private during treatment
- Memorial tributes poured in from fans and fellow child stars
Danielle Spencer Husband and Personal Life
Danielle Spencer married twice but never had children during her lifetime. Her first husband was Garry Fields, a marketing manager who also worked as her publicist and helped manage her career after acting. They got married in 1999 in Marina Del Rey, California and stayed together for 14 years before divorcing in 2013.
The following year in 2014, she married David L David, an entrepreneur from New Jersey. Her former co-star Ernest Lee Thomas introduced them, and they seemed happy at first. However, their marriage ended before her death in 2025, though the exact divorce date remains unclear since David was not listed among survivors in her obituary.
First Marriage to Garry Fields
Garry Fields became her husband, manager and biggest supporter all at once when they married in 1999. He understood the entertainment industry and helped her navigate life after sitcom fame ended. Their 14 year marriage gave Danielle stability while she built her veterinary career, but they eventually went separate ways in 2013.
Second Marriage to David L David
David L David came into her life through a co-star connection in 2014. The New Jersey entrepreneur seemed like a fresh start after her first divorce. Their relationship lasted several years but ended before cancer took her life, leaving Danielle single during her final battle.
Early Life and Career Details
Danielle Louise Spencer was born on June 24, 1965 in Trenton, New Jersey to writer Cheryl Pelt. After her parents separated, her mother married actor Tim Pelt who became the real father figure in young Danielle’s life. The family moved to the Bronx when she was little, and by age eight she was already taking acting classes with full parental support.
In 1976, she landed the role that would define her childhood as Dee Thomas on the ABC sitcom What’s Happening. The show started as just a summer replacement based on the movie Cooley High, but became so popular that it got picked up for multiple seasons. Her quick wit and charm as the younger sister made her a fan favorite across America.
Career Highlights and Achievements:
- Got her breakthrough role at just 11 years old in What’s Happening
- Survived a devastating car accident in 1977 that killed her stepfather Tim Pelt
- Spent three weeks in a coma and six months recovering from the crash
- Returned to acting in 1985 for What’s Happening Now sequel series
- Graduated from UC Davis and later Tuskegee University Vet School
- Became a licensed veterinarian in 1993 after years of hard work
- Made a memorable appearance in the 1997 film As Good as It Gets
- Published her memoir Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star
The 1977 car accident during filming changed everything for young Danielle. Her stepfather Tim Pelt died protecting her in the crash, and she fell into a three week coma that doctors feared she might not survive. After waking up, she spent six months in painful recovery, but his death inspired her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
When What’s Happening ended in 1979, Danielle and her mother moved to the Ivory Coast for a fresh start away from Hollywood. Upon returning to America, she dove into veterinary medicine studies at the University of California Davis, keeping her late stepfather’s memory alive. She balanced college classes with the What’s Happening Now sequel in 1985, proving child stars could finish their education.
Family Background
Danielle Spencer came from a creative family with her birth mother Cheryl Pelt working as a writer. After her biological parents separated early on, Cheryl married actor Tim Pelt who raised Danielle as his own daughter. The family settled in the Bronx, New York where both parents encouraged her acting dreams from a young age.
Tim Pelt became the protective father who shaped her character and inspired her future veterinary career through his love of animals. His tragic death in the 1977 car accident left a permanent mark on Danielle’s heart and life direction. Her mother Cheryl stayed by her side through coma recovery, career changes, and eventually her final cancer battle in 2025.
| Family Member | Relationship | Background |
| Cheryl Pelt | Mother | Writer who supported acting career |
| Tim Pelt | Stepfather | Actor who died protecting her in 1977 |
| Jeremy Pelt | Brother | Jazz musician who survived her |
| Garry Fields | Ex-Husband | Marketing manager, married 1999-2013 |
| David L David | Ex-Husband | Entrepreneur, married 2014, ended before death |
Danielle Spencer Legacy and Impact
Danielle Spencer showed the world that child stars can successfully reinvent themselves beyond Hollywood fame. Her journey from sitcom actress to licensed veterinarian inspired countless young people facing career crossroads. The What’s Happening cast reunion and TV Land Awards appearance in 2006 reminded fans why they loved Dee Thomas so much.
Her memoir Through the Fire gave readers an honest look at child stardom’s challenges and triumphs. She spoke openly in interviews about surviving tragedy, changing careers, and finding purpose beyond the television screen. Her animal advocacy work touched many lives even though she kept that part of her life more private than acting.
Her Lasting Contributions:
- Broke stereotypes about child actors being unable to pursue professional careers
- Graduated veterinary school and practiced animal medicine for over 20 years
- Shared her story through memoir writing and television interviews
- Represented Black excellence in both entertainment and veterinary medicine
- Remained humble and kind despite early fame and success
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Danielle Spencer die?
Danielle Spencer passed away on August 11, 2025 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia after battling stomach cancer.
Was Danielle Spencer married when she died?
No, her second marriage to David L David had ended before her death in 2025, leaving her unmarried during her final days.
Did Danielle Spencer have any children?
No, Danielle Spencer never had children during either of her two marriages to Garry Fields or David L David.
What did Danielle Spencer do after acting?
She became a licensed veterinarian in 1993 after studying at UC Davis and Tuskegee University Veterinary School.
How old was Danielle Spencer in What’s Happening?
She was just 11 years old when she started playing Dee Thomas in 1976 on the ABC sitcom.
What caused the car accident that killed her stepfather?
In 1977 during filming, a serious car crash killed her stepfather Tim Pelt who died protecting her, leaving Danielle in a coma for three weeks.
Did Danielle Spencer write a book?
Yes, she published her memoir titled Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star, sharing her experiences as a young actress.
Who were Danielle Spencer’s family members?
She was survived by her mother Cheryl Pelt and brother Jeremy Pelt, a jazz musician.
Conclusion
Danielle Spencer gave us laughter as Dee Thomas and later dedicated her life to healing animals as a veterinarian. Her death in August 2025 at 60 ended a remarkable journey from child star to medical professional. She survived a childhood tragedy that would have broken many people, turned it into motivation, and built a completely new career helping creatures who could not help themselves.
Her two marriages taught her about love and loss, while her education proved child actors can achieve anything with determination. The What’s Happening legacy lives on through reruns, but her real legacy is showing young people that fame does not define your whole life. Danielle Spencer will be remembered for her wit, her warmth, her strength through tragedy, and her compassion for both people and animals.
Nathan Cole writer at BlessingsShine, dedicated to creating heartfelt blessings, prayers, and inspirational messages that uplift and guide readers. With years of experience, he blends empathy, spiritual insight, and practical wisdom to help people find comfort, positivity, and clarity in everyday life. Nathan’s work is designed to inspire hope, strengthen connections, and provide meaningful words that readers can use in personal reflection or to share with others.