Tori Spelling posted a moving tribute to her first on-screen love, Dustin Diamond, after he passed away Monday from stage 4 cancer.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress starred opposite Diamond in “Saved by the Bell” in 1990 as Screech’s girlfriend, Violet Bickerstaff.
“My first on-screen love Dustin Diamond got its angel wings today,” began Spelling, 47, with a long caption next to a photo of the pair in the series. Before there was David and Donna, there was Screech and Violet. Dustin was my first on-screen kiss. “
“He welcomed me with open arms to the set of ‘Saved By the Bell,’” she continued. As you can imagine, it was overwhelming to be the newbie to a hit show 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 made everyone laugh. “
She added that Diamond was a great scene partner and a really good guy, but the pair didn’t really keep in touch and ran into each other at events.
“I’m glad he’s no more pain,” she concluded. “He is an icon for me professionally and personally. RIP Samuel love, your Violet. ”
Diamond died at the age of 44, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.