Dustin Diamond – best known for playing the beloved Samuel “Screech” Powers on the hit NBC sitcom, “Saved by the Bell” – is dead … TMZ has learned.
A representative for Dustin tells us he passed away Monday morning. His condition has been declining sharply since last week, and he has been removed from breathing machines in an attempt to get him to hospital care. His GF was by his side when he passed away.
Dustin’s death comes just a few weeks after completing his first chemotherapy after being diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma … commonly called lung cancer. We were told the cancer starts somewhere in Dustin’s body and metastasizes in his lungs.
He was initially admitted to hospital in January in Florida after feeling pain all over his body and a general feeling of discomfort. Unfortunately for the child star … it seems to be Cancer.
Dustin is of course known for playing Screech on four seasons of “Saved by the Bell” as Zack Morris’ (Mark-Paul Gosselaarnerdy sidekick who struggled to get one of Lisa Turtle’s (Lark Voorhies) love and affection.
After graduating from Bayside HS, the program had a short lifespan with ‘Saved by the Bell: The College Years’. There was also ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class’ … in which Dustin appeared from season 2 to 7 as Screech as Mr. Belding’s assistant.
2/24/20
TMZ.com
Dustin was not recreated for reloading the app on Peacock. Back in January 2020 we talked to him about why he was not logged in for the new project. The short answer … he does not know why, but pleads for retaliation from Screech.
Dustin would appear in numerous 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 famous for directing his own sex band in 2006, but later conceded Oprah Winfrey it was not him … but a stunt double.
He has also appeared in numerous reality shows, including ‘Celebrity Boxing 2’ and ‘Celebrity Fit Club’, where he did not make too many friends after confronting numerous cast.
There were also other tricks that turned his career from a beloved child actor to a controversial celebrity. Like when Dustin was supposed to fight the so-called angry bagelman, Chris Morgan, for CM pulled out of the fight.
But through it all … Dustin got a lot of love from fans and friends, including President King and CEO of Insurance King Dan Blok, which wrapped the NASCAR driver Josh Bilickise motor in Dustin’s honor.
Dustin was 44.
TEAR