Tori Spelling paid tribute to her late “Saved by the Bell” co-star, Dustin Diamond, after his death at the age of 44.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma cancer last month. His agent told Fox News that Diamond died on Monday “from a carcinoma”. It didn’t take long for her regular co-stars on the hit show to speak and praise the deceased star.
Among them was Spelling, who shared a long caption about Diamond on Instagram, along with a black and white photo of them as children on set. Spelling had a chance in 1990 as the girlfriend of Diamond’s Screech character, Violet Bickerstaff.
“My first love on the screen, Dustin Diamond got his angel wings today …” she started her note.
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She continued, “Before David and Donna had Screech and Violet. Dustin was my first kiss on the screen. He welcomed me with open arms on the set of ‘Saved By the Bell’.”
The “Beverly Hills 90210” actress revealed that Diamond had a special interest in making sure she felt comfortable and welcomed on the show, for which she remains grateful to this day.
TORI SPELLING REVELS SHE WAS BULIATED BY HER LOOKS FOR ‘INTERNET SEARCHES’ WHILE AT ‘BEVERLY HILLS, 90210’
Tori Spelling shared a heartfelt message praising his late co-star Dustin Diamond.
(Getty Images)
“As you can imagine, being a newcomer to a successful program was overwhelming for a 14-year-old girl. He not only showed me, but made sure I was always fine. A young gentleman. He was kind, smart and always doing everything world laugh “, she wrote. “He was a great stage partner. He was a very good guy. I am sad after the show that we never had much contact other than occasionally meeting at events.”
Diamond’s representative told Fox News that his “brutal and relentless form of malignant cancer” has spread rapidly in the three weeks since he was diagnosed.
“Dustin didn’t suffer. He didn’t have to be in pain. For that, we are grateful ”, he explained.
Spelling ended his note by expressing his relief that Diamond had not suffered.
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“I am happy that he is pain free. He is an icon for me professionally and personally. RIP Samuel, love, your Violet,” she concluded.
Diamond portrayed Screech for 13 years. He also starred in several reality TV shows, including Season 5 of “Celebrity Fit Club”, “The Weakest Link” and “Celebrity Boxing 2.”
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He made appearances in films such as “Made” (2001), “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003) and “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love” (2009). In December 2013, Diamond appeared in an episode of “Where Are They Now?” and became a member of the house in the 12th season of “Celebrity Big Brother”.
Stephanie Nolasco of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.