Dustin Diamond, known for playing lovable geek Samuel “Screech” Powers on the hit sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” died of carcinoma in a Florida hospital Monday morning. He was 44.
The actor was diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized just three weeks ago.
“At the time, it quickly spread through its system; the only grace it showed was its sharp and swift execution, ”said the actor’s agent, Roger Paul, in a statement. Dustin didn’t suffer. He didn’t have to lie in pain. We are grateful for that. “
Diamond got his start in the industry with roles in the TV movie “Yogi’s Great Escape” and an episode of “It’s a Living” in 1987, returning to his breakout role just a year later. Cast in “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” the actor played Screech for 13 episodes. The show would become the basis for “Saved by the Bell”, in which Diamond acted until 1992.
As his character aged out of high school, Diamond continued to reprise his role for the franchise in several spin-offs, including ‘Saved by the Bell: The College Years’ and ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class,’ of which he the latter lasted for about six years.
The star also appeared as himself in a variety of shows and films following his stint as Screech, including Made, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Four Corners Road and American Pie Presents: The Book of Love” and his infamous 2006 sex tape “Screeched – Saved by the Smell.”
Diamond told Oprah Winfrey in a 2013 episode of “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” that he was ashamed of the tape and that the salary “was not worth what the consequences were”.
“When I look back in my 30s now, I realize that was really stupid,” he said. “People look down on me to this day. There are many people [who think] “how disgusting of you” – and I didn’t really do it. “
He has also appeared on reality TV including ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, ‘Celebrity Fit Club’, ‘The Weakest Link’ and ‘Celebrity Boxing 2’. Diamond wrote a memoir about his time on the “Saved by the Bell” franchise. The book, entitled “Behind the Bell,” talks about alleged controversies about cast members, including himself.
Diamond was married to Jennifer Misner from 2009 until their divorce in 2013.
Diamond was arrested in 2014 and in prison for three months in 2015 for stabbing a man in a bar fight. In May 2016, he was arrested again for violating the terms of his probation.
“We are aware that Dustin is not considered a good name by most. He’s had a history of accidents, unfortunate events. We want the public to understand that he was not willfully malicious, ”said Paul. Like the rest of those who misbehave and behave badly, he had experienced a lot of unrest and heartache. His actions, while dismissive, were the result of loss and the lack of knowledge of how to properly handle that pain. In truth, Dustin was a humorous and cheerful person whose greatest passion was to make others laugh. He was able to sense and feel other people’s emotions for so long that he could feel them too – a power and a flaw, all in one. “