The Internet Pays Tribute To Saved By The Bell Star Dustin Diamond
Diamond was rushed to the hospital after suffering from debilitating pain only a few weeks ago, and it’s now been confirmed by his representatives that the actor has passed away from stage 4 lung cancer. Given the short period of his illness, fans are shocked and saddened by the tragic news, with social media full of those who grew up watching Diamond on the classic NBC series paying tribute to him.
Saved by the Bell might’ve been an ensemble show, but it was Samuel “Screech” Powers who often stole the spotlight, thanks to his larger-than-life personality and Diamond’s physical comedy chops. And as the following tributes make clear, the actor was a lot of people’s favorite of the cast when they were kids.
Dustin Diamond has terminal cancer and could have just weeks to live
Dustin Diamond was diagnosed with stage four cancer last month and his friends say doctors have told him he has anything from a few weeks to a year or two to live
Updated
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Screenshot: NBCUniversal
Dustin Diamond died on Monday from stage 4 lung cancer, leaving behind a troubled legacy that includes a sex tape scandal and a scandalous tell-all book about his former
Saved By The Bell castmates that he later revealed was filled with made-up stories. He’s since expressed regret over both of those projects, and the Bayside crew doesn’t appear to hold any hard feelings. A number of them have surfaced in the wake of his passing to share some kind words in his memory.
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“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius,” Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who played Zack Morris on the series, wrote on Twitter on Monday. “My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Looking back at our time working together, I will miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade.”
This showed me that the jocks & nerds can be best buds for life….shit crazy man #RIPDustinDiamond aka #Screechhttps://t.co/CxAQCa8hFn
It’s going to be a Saved By the Bell marathon kind of day. Here comes the waterworks. #RIP Dustin Diamond. #Screechhttps://t.co/myoO1oeibQ
That is tragic. Only 44 years old. Yes he did have some challenges in his life after Saved By the Bell but most child actors do. May he Rest In Peace. I grew up watching that show all the time on TBS and there would be no Saved By the Bell without Samuel SCREECH Powers!
Dustin Diamond, best known for his recurring role as Samuel “Screech” Powers on
Saved By The Bell and its spin-offs, has died. He died on Monday of stage 4 lung cancer, a diagnosis that the actor revealed earlier this month.
TMZ first reported the news, and
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed it shortly after. He was 44.
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Saved By The Bell, from its precursor series
Good Morning, Miss Bliss to
The College Years to The New Class, in which he played the assistant to Dennis Haskins’ Principal Belding. As a child, Diamond also appeared on TV shows like
The Wonder Years, American Playhouse, and