Dustin Diamond Passed Away!

Actor and celebrity boxer Dustin Diamond passed away.

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The former cast member of the teen comedy Saved by The Bell passed away after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

Dustin Diamond was perhaps best known as the lovable geek Samuel "Screech" Powers in the show.

His manager said the entertainer passed away in hospice at the age of 44.

His manager revealed Diamond's cancer diagnosis last month, but said the former child star was awaiting test results to learn the exact location and nature of the cancer.

A week later, Paul told NBC News that he was battling stage 4 small cell carcinoma, or lung cancer.

Diamond “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,” said a statement from Paul and Diamond’s longtime management team. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”

Dustin's final days.

Diamond came to fame in the 1990s in the role of Samuel "Screech" Powers on “Saved by the Bell.”

“Dustin Diamond was a character in and of himself: an unpredictable spitfire who always left us shocked, but never left us bored,” Paul said.

He played the role of best friend and sidekick to the show’s decidedly nongeeky main character, Zack Morris, for 13 years on the original show and its spinoffs: “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” and “Saved By the Bell: The College Years.”

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. 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.

— Mark-Paul Gosselaar (@MPG) February 1, 2021

 

I am deeply saddened by I the news of my old co-star @realdustindiamond passing. Life is extremely fragile and it’s something we should never take for granted. God speed Dustin. 💔 https://t.co/r3NVsWK2K4

— Tiffani Thiessen (@TiffaniThiessen) February 1, 2021

 

Dustin, you will be missed my man. The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on... pic.twitter.com/BnxY9XgN5g

— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) February 1, 2021

 

https://t.co/IZBPDi9pAw

— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) February 2, 2021

Though most of the show’s original cast returned to a reboot of the sitcom on the Peacock streaming platform, Diamond did not reprise his role. (Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.)

Diamond wrote the 2009 book, "Behind the Bell," which portrayed the cast in a less-than-flattering light.

The Saved by The Bell cast pays their respects to Dustin Diamond.

He also made some enemies while appearing on the reality show "Celebrity Fit Club" in which he assumed the role of the villain. He also appeared on other reality shows like “The Weakest Link” and “Celebrity Big Brother,” and had later roles in “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” and “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love.”

In 2001, Diamond filed for bankruptcy.

He was also arrested and convicted for his role in a fight at a Wisconsin bar in 2014, in which Diamond stabbed another bar patron in the armpit with a switchblade. He was placed in a work release program after beginning his four-month sentence and was freed a month early for good behavior.

Dustin look unrecognizable.

The statement from Diamond’s managers said they had been working with him for more than 20 years.

“It goes without saying that our relationship cannot be categorized exclusively as business. He has become a larger part of our everyday life: a part of our family and friend circle,” the statement said.

“We are aware that Dustin is not considered reputable by most. He’s had a history of mishaps, of unfortunate events,” the statement continued. "His actions, though rebukable, stemmed from loss and the lack of knowledge on how to process that pain properly.”

"Dustin was a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make others laugh. He was able to sense and feel other peoples’ emotions to such a length that he was able to feel them too — a strength and a flaw, all in one," the statement said. "We wish you knew him in the way that we did."