Dustin Diamond – best known for playing the adorable Samuel “Screech” Powers on NBC’s hit sitcom “Saved by the Bell” – he died … TMZ learned.
A representative from Dustin told us that he died Monday morning. His condition had worsened greatly since last week, and he was removed from the breathing machines in an attempt to take him into palliative care. His girlfriend was at his side when he passed away.
Dustin’s death came just weeks after completing his first round of chemo, after he was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma … which is commonly referred to as lung cancer. We were advised the cancer it started somewhere in Dustin’s body and metastasized in his lungs.
He was initially hospitalized in Florida in January, after experiencing pain all over the body and a general feeling of unease. Unfortunately for the child star … turned out to be Cancer.
Dustin, of course, is famous for playing Screech in four seasons of “Saved by the Bell” as Zack Morris’ (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) nerdy helper who struggled to get some piece of Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies) Love and affection.
After the kids graduated from Bayside HS … the show had a short spinoff with “Saved by the Bell: The College Years”. There was also “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” … in which Dustin appeared as Screech from season 2 through season 7 as Mr. Belding’s assistant.
2/24/20
TMZ.com
Dustin was not reworked for the show’s restart at Peacock. In January 2020, we talked to him about why he was not enrolled for the new project. The short answer … he didn’t know why, but he argued for Screech’s reprisal.
Dustin would appear in many other roles … including as the groom in the 98 Degrees music video for his 1999 hit track, “I Do (Cherish You)”. He also appeared in 2 episodes of “The Wonder Years”. He became famous for directing his own sex tape in 2006, but later admitted that Oprah Winfrey it wasn’t him … but a stuntman.
He also appeared on tons of reality shows … including “Celebrity Boxing 2” and “Celebrity Fit Club”, where he didn’t make many friends after clashing with several cast members.
There were other stunts that transformed his career as a beloved child actor into a controversial celebrity. Like when Dustin should fight the so-called angry bagel guy, Chris Morgan, before the CM taken from the fight.
But in spite of everything … Dustin received a lot of love from fans and friends, including the president and CEO of Insurance King Dan Block, which involved the NASCAR driver Josh Bilickithe car is in Dustin’s Honor.
Dustin was 44 years old.
REST IN PEACE