Photo: Karwai Tang / WireImage
After Dustin Diamond’s death on Monday from stage 4 lung cancer, co-stars in the iconic NBC high school sitcom Saved by the gong used social media to remember the actor as “kind”, “smart”, “gentleman” and a cutup on the set. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of my former castmate @dustindiamond,” Tiffani Thiessen posted on Instagram on Monday. “Life is extremely fragile and it is something that we should never take for granted. God speed Dustin. ”Mario Lopez wrote:“ Dustin, you will be missed, my man. The fragility of this life is something that will never be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue … ”
“Dustin was my first screen kiss,” Tori Spelling, who played Violet Bickerstaff, Screech’s love interest in SbtB. “He welcomed me with open arms on the set of Saved by the bell. As you can imagine, being the newcomer to a successful program was overwhelming for a 14-year-old girl. He not only showed me things, but he also made sure that I was always okay. A young gentleman. He was kind, smart and always made everyone laugh. “
Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, Screech’s longtime passion on the show, reminds Diamond of Weekly entertainment. “Words cannot express the pain I am feeling right now. Dustin and I had a warm and special friendship, he was a caring gentleman and my memories of him will always be appreciated, ”she wrote. “I am very sorry that he left. But it is exceptionally sad for loved ones who have to deal with their tragic death and their own great loss. My heart is with them at this difficult time. “