Dustin Diamond, the actor best known for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers on the beloved coming-of-age sitcom “Saved By the Bell,” has died. He was 44.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma cancer last month.
The actor’s agent said that Diamond died on Monday “due to carcinoma.”
“He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago. In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution,” Diamond’s agent Roger Paul said in a statement. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”
Some of Diamond’s “Saved By the Bell” co-stars took to Twitter to share their loss.
“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius,” Mark-Paul Gosselaar tweeted. “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.”
“Dustin, you will be missed my man,” wrote Mario Lopez. “The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on.”
“I am deeply saddened by I the news of my old co-star @realdustindiamond passing,” added Tiffany Thiessen. “Life is extremely fragile and it’s something we should never take for granted. God speed Dustin.
Here are some of Screech Powers best moments from Saved By The Bell! Diamond surely left quite an amazing legacy on film.
Dustin played the roll of Screech for 13-years!