Tori Spelling paid tribute to her late “Saved by the Bell” co-star Dustin Diamond after his death at the age of 44.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma last month. His agent told Fox News that Diamond died Monday “of a carcinoma.” It didn’t take long for his regular co-stars on the hit sitcom to speak out and praise the late star.
Among them was Spelling, who shared a long caption about Diamond on Instagram, along with a black and white photo of them as kids on set. Spelling had a run in 1990 as the girlfriend of Diamond’s Screech character, Violet Bickerstaff.
“My first on-screen love Dustin Diamond got his angel wings today…” she began her note.
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She continued, “Before there was David and Donna, there were Screech and Violet. Dustin was my first on-screen kiss. He welcomed me with open arms to the set of ‘Saved By the Bell’.”
The Beverly Hills 90210 actress went on to say that Diamond took special care to make her feel comfortable and welcome on the show, for which she is grateful to this day.
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Tori Spelling shared a heartfelt message praising her late co-star Dustin Diamond.
(Getty Images)
As you can imagine the hit show rookie was overwhelming for a 14 year old girl. He not only showed me around but made sure I was always okay. Such a young gentleman. He was nice, smart and always make everyone laugh, “she wrote.” He was a great scene partner. He was a really good guy. I’m sad after the show that we never had much contact, other than occasionally meeting each other at events. ”
Diamond’s representative told Fox News that his “brutal, brutal form of malignant cancer” has spread rapidly in the three weeks since diagnosis.
“Dustin didn’t suffer. He didn’t have to be in pain. We are grateful for that,” he explained.
Spelling ended her note by expressing her relief that Diamond was not suffering.
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“I’m glad he’s no more pain. He’s an icon to me, both professionally and personally. RIP Samuel love, your Violet,” she concluded.
Diamond played Screech for 13 years. He has also starred in several reality TV shows, including Season 5 of “Celebrity Fit Club”, “The Weakest Link” and “Celebrity Boxing 2”.
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He has made guest appearances in such films as “Made” (2001), “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003) and “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love” (2009). In December 2013, Diamond appeared on an episode of OWN’s “Where Are They Now?” and became a house member in Season 12 of “Celebrity Big Brother.”
Stephanie Nolasco and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.