RIP Dustin "Screech" Diamond

[ben6543]

Dustin Diamond -- best known for playing the lovable Samuel "Screech" Powers on the hit NBC sitcom, "Saved by the Bell" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for Dustin tells us he died Monday morning. His condition had greatly declined since last week, and he was taken off of breathing machines in an attempt to get him to hospice care. His dad was by his side when he passed away.

Dustin's death comes just a couple 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 told the cancer started somewhere in Dustin's body and metastasized in his lungs.

He was initially hospitalized in Florida in January after feeling pain all over his body and a general sense of unease. Unfortunately for the kid star ... it turned out to be cancer.


Dustin, of course, is famous for playing Screech on four seasons of "Saved by the Bell" as Zack Morris' (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) nerdy sidekick who struggled to get any of Lisa Turtle's (Lark Voorhies) love and affection.

After the kids graduated from Bayside HS ... the show got a short-lived 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 to 7 as Mr. Belding's assistant.


Dustin wasn't recast for the reboot of the show on Peacock. Back in January 2020, we talked to him about why he wasn't signed on for the new project. The short answer ... he didn't know why but argued for Screech's reprisal.

Dustin would appear in tons of other roles ... including as the groom in 98 Degrees' music video for their 1999 hit track, "I Do (Cherish You)." He also appeared in 2 episodes of "The Wonder Years." He became infamous for directing his own sex tape in 2006 but later admitted to Oprah Winfrey it wasn't him ... but a stunt double.


He also appeared in tons of reality shows ... including "Celebrity Boxing 2" and "Celebrity Fit Club" where he did NOT make too many friends after becoming confrontational with numerous cast members.

There were other stunts too. Like in 2017 ... he drank chewing tobacco spit for $25 and played fat Harvey Weinstein for a music video. Two years later ... Dustin was supposed to fight the so-called angry bagel guy, Chris Morgan, before CM pulled out of the fight. He also had tons of legal and money problems.

But, through it all ... Dustin got tons of love from fans and friends alike, including Insurance King president and CEO Dan Block, who wrapped NASCAR driver Josh Bilicki's car in Dustin's honor.

Dustin was 44.

RIP

https://www.tmz.com/2021/02/01/dusti...ancer-screech/

[Gretiem]

Man that was fast

[s2mikey]

Thats rough. I used to love that show.

[Britbuffguy]

Saved By The Bell was my first favorite show growing up. I have seen every episode so many times these characters feel like family to me. I probably have spent more time watching this show than spending with my actual family.

Kind of bummed he never got the chance to do right with the rest of the cast.

Got to meet him in maybe 2011, but was always hoping some convention would get all six lead actors to do a convention together, cause there isn't any money amount in the world I wouldn't pay for that photo op. Sadly, not happening now.

I've come to the conclusion that when you have so many Hollywood heroes, most of your older age is just watching them go, one by one, until it's your turn.

Sad day.

[ltb2.0]

I loved Screech as a kid. He was hysterical.

Thanks for the warm memories and laughs.

Rest in Peace.

[R3P0]

Wow the guy lived just a horrid life always seemed to be down on his luck and never really made up with the cast of SBTB. RIP Dustin hopefully now you can finally be at peace.

[hagios]

RIP Dustin

[dublinbluray108]

I am honestly stunned to hear just now that Dustin Diamond had died so young at 44 years old.

It's such a shame to know that he died from stage 4 lung cancer. I was only reading an online news update recently that he was getting treatment for his cancer diagnosis in hospital from only a few days ago. And now since this evening he was dead. Words fail me at this point in how this illness inside him had progressed so quickly until fate had told him that could do no more.

Saved by the Bell was one of my favourite shows when I was a kid. I used to watch it regularly when I came home from school.

I will miss Screech terribly that he is no longer with us. RIP Dustin

[Starman22]

I just heard and Saved By the Bell one of my favorite TV show... and plenty of it on my Facebook newsfeed earlier. Screech is the funniest character.

RIP Dustin Diamond

[Michael1989]

Aw. RIP Dustin

[Socko]

Originally Posted by Gretiem

Man that was fast

Indeed. I read a few weeks ago about him having stage 4 cancer.

RIP Screech

[DukeTogo84]

He played one of the best nerds in TV history and slowly turned into an angry mess. Years of being known at the weird nerd damaged him in real life, but we'll always have those memories.

[terp_fan99]

I loved Saved by the Bell as a kid. I know his life was a little rough, but I hope he found some peace in the end knowing he brought laughter and joy to many of us.

[Moviefan2k4]

I learned about his passing yesterday, and have been praying for his family. He seemed like a true creative genius, even though I didn't care for his standup material.