Family Drama After “What’s Happening!!” Star Danielle Spencer’s Death … Brother Accuses Ex-Husband Of Exploiting Her Passing
Last month, the entertainment world mourned the loss of Dr. Danielle Spencer, the beloved child actress best known as Dee Thomas from the classic 70s sitcom What’s Happening!! She passed away at age 60 after a long battle with cancer.
But while fans celebrate her legacy, behind the scenes a bitter feud has erupted — and it’s getting ugly. Danielle’s brother, acclaimed jazz musician Jeremy Pelt, is calling out her ex-husband David L. David, accusing him of exploiting her death for clout, money, and “15 minutes of fame.”
Jeremy Pelt Breaks His Silence
In a scathing social media post, Jeremy let fans know exactly how he feels.
“Wow … for those of you fans that followed my sister on social media and are aware of this sad ass nigga on FB, lemme just say that this is a new low,” he began.
Jeremy explained that grieving his sister has been especially complicated because of her celebrity status:
“My mother and I have always treated Dani’s passing as any of you would if (God forbid) you lost your daughter/sister … but because of her notoriety we can’t ignore her celebrity and lasting impact on pop culture and Black pop culture in particular, which is why grieving is a whole OTHER level when it involves a public figure.”
Then he turned his full attention to David L. David.
“No One Liked Him”
Jeremy did not mince words about Danielle’s ex-husband, saying his sister’s decision to marry him was one of her few poor choices.
“I’ll say that Dani, like all of us, was human and prone to bad decisions. This sad piece of shit, David L. David, was one of them. NO ONE liked him. NO ONE. My sister always saw people differently, God bless her in heaven.”
Jeremy alleged that David has been selling T-shirts with Danielle’s name and likeness without the family’s approval — even while she was alive. And now, in the wake of her death, Jeremy says David has been giving podcast interviews, sharing her personal business and embarrassing secrets.
“It’s COMPLETELY reprehensible that this nigga is so starved for ‘15 minutes of fame’ that he’s taking advantage of her name in her passing,” Jeremy wrote. “How pathetic can you get?”
“We’re Working On Shutting This Down”
Jeremy told fans the family is already taking action against David’s behavior:
“We’re working on shutting this asshole down up here, and I trust that there’s a special room in hell where he will retire to before long.”
Fans Side With The Family
Supporters have rallied behind Jeremy’s words, saying he’s right to protect Danielle’s legacy from exploitation. “She was a pioneer in Black TV history, not a storyline for her ex to profit off of,” one fan posted.
Danielle’s Legacy Lives On
Despite the ugly family feud, Danielle Spencer’s contributions to pop culture remain untouched. From her unforgettable one-liners as Dee to her later career as a veterinarian, she lived a multifaceted and impactful life.
Jeremy’s passionate defense of his sister is clear: Danielle deserves to be remembered for her work and spirit — not dragged into messy exploitation by an ex-husband seeking attention.