Dustin Diamond dies of cancer at 44. ‘Saved by the Bell’ fans react to actor’s death
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Dustin Diamond, who played nerdy Screech on “Saved by the Bell,” died Monday of stage 4 lung cancer, according to media reports.
Diamond played Zack Morris’ trusty sidekick on “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which blossomed into “Saved by the Bell.” The popular series aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993, offering a glimpse into the lives of teenagers at a California high school.
Diamond reprised his role on “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” from 1993 to 2000.
He was hospitalized in mid-January due to his lung cancer diagnosis, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution,” his representatives said, according to Variety. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”
Diamond fell out of favor with his “Saved by the Bell” castmates after writing a tell-all book in 2009 titled “Behind the Bell.” When the reboot of the original show was launched on Peacock in 2020, Diamond was not included.
Fans of “Saved by the Bell” reacted on social media Monday following Diamond’s death. Many people thanked him for his role of Screech.
I’m actually really sad to hear about the passing of Dustin Diamond! Screech was literally part of most of our childhoods. Life is too damn short man! God bless him.
— DOM CORLĘØNE • #ShadySisterWife (@ItsASheThIngTV) February 1, 2021
Rest In Peace to Dustin Diamond AKA Screech️ thanks for giving me a hilarious childhood pic.twitter.com/Wzt0CZ3hji
— stephie. (@Stepherss964) February 1, 2021
I just read about Dustin Diamond I know he had a troubled life but that doesn’t change the fact that Saved By The Bell was what I looked forward to after school. I’d run home from the bus and turn on the tv like clockwork to watch this show everyday. My condolences to his family.
— Megan (@megmarie5) February 1, 2021
Dustin Diamond brought so much joy to so many people for years. I wish he could have had a second act where he turned everything around.
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) February 1, 2021
Awe man, Cancer took my dude. Rip Dustin Diamond (Screech) I loved watching "Saved by the Bell" back in the day.#dustindiamond #screech pic.twitter.com/bzf7dSaTz7
— Teresa (@_T_E_R_E_S_A) February 1, 2021
Dustin Diamond may have had his share of controversy when it came to life post Saved by the Bell.
But NOBODY deserves to suffer through a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Screech was a school morning staple in my life. And I'm so sad to hear of his death.
Prayers to his family pic.twitter.com/9f7tdyN0rS— ☆Ashley☆ (@TeachItAsh) February 1, 2021
RIP (Screech) Dustin Diamond thanks for all the smiles, laughs, and iconic outfits pic.twitter.com/QmlswqNiBt
— Hannah VW Pickett (@hannahvdubs) February 1, 2021
