Saved by the Bell’s Dustin Diamond Dies at 44
Actor Dustin Diamond, who is best-known for playing the beloved dork Samuel “Screech” Powers on Saved by the Bell has died after a sudden diagnosis of aggressive lung cancer, TV Line reported. He was 44.
“We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond’s passing on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, due to carcinoma,” Diamond’s talent agency said in a statement to TV Line. “He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago. In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution. Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”
TMZ reported that Diamond’s girlfriend was there when he died and that he did not suffer.
Per TV Line, Diamond first suspected he had health issues when he felt a lump in his throat and was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer on January 15, 2021.
Diamond reprised his role as Screech on spinoffs like Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Saved by the Bell: The College Years over the years but told TMZ in February 2020 that he was not asked to return for the Peacock reboot.
“I’m one of the rare people who was in every episode,” Diamond told TMZ at the time. “How do you have ‘Saved By The Bell’ without Screech?”
He said he wished his cast members saw it the same way. “Everyone should be thinking we should all be part of this,” Diamond continued.
He even had an idea of where Screech would be in his life. “I think that right now Screech would be dealing with parenthood, dealing with his kids and finding out he’s got a little Screech of his own now and [realizing] that maybe he wasn’t a barrel full of roses to deal with growing up.”
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Featured image credit: James Atoa/Everett Collection
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.