Dustin Diamond, known best for his portrayal of Screech on “Saved by the Bell,” has died weeks after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, according to several media reports.
A rep for Diamond told TMZ he died Monday morning. His condition had declined since the announcement of his illness last month. According to the report, he was taken off breathing machines in an attempt to get him to hospice care. His girlfriend was present when he passed away.
The 44-year-old had been admitted to a Florida hospital after feeling ill about three weeks prior to his death.
“In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution,” his reps said in a statement. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”
Credit: NBC
Credit: NBC
Diamond’s rep told Entertainment Weekly the star would be “undergoing chemo” for cancer at the time his condition was announced in mid-January. He had not spoken publicly about the diagnosis, but his friend and “Saved by the Bell” costar Mario Lopez posted on Instagram confirming his condition but had hoped for a “speedy recovery” for his longtime pal.
“Dustin, you will be missed my man. The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted,” Lopez wrote in a tweet Monday afternoon.
Diamond became a staple on Saturday morning television in the 1980s and 1990s as Samuel “Screech” Powers on “Saved by the Bell.” He played the role of best friend and sidekick to Zach Morris, who was played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar. He appeared on the show in its various reincarnations, first on “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” the precursor to “Saved by the Bell,” then on the main primary 1990s hit show, then on “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” (1994-2000) and lastly on “Saved by the Bell: The College Years.”
Several fans lamented the sudden death of the comedic actor who often provided the humorous lines during the 1990s teen hit.
The comedian and musician made headlines during the last few years that contrasted his squeaky clean “Saved by the Bell” image. In 2006, he directed and released a sex tape that played on his childhood role as Screech. He was also arrested and convicted for engaging in a fight at a Wisconsin bar in 2014, in which Diamond stabbed another bar patron in the armpit with a switchblade.
The actor is one of the few core cast members who did not appear in the reboot of the show, which is airing on the new Peacock streaming channel. He told TMZ that he would not appear in the latest version of the show that made him a star.
“It’s something we put so much time and effort into,” the actor said at the time. “How do you have ‘Saved by the Bell’ without Screech? Right? I mean, it seems like there’s a missed opportunity there.”
Despite his waning acting career, Diamond turned his notoriety into a solid reality television career, appearing in such shows as “Celebrity Fit Club,” “The Weakest Link” and “Celebrity Big Brother.” His appearances highlighted the California native’s knack for comedy.
“Dustin was a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make others laugh. He was able to sense and feel other peoples’ emotions to such a length that he was able to feel them too — a strength and a flaw, all in one,” wrote Paul.
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