"Saved by the Bell" Star Dustin Diamond Dies at 44

"Saved by the Bell" Star Dustin Diamond Dies at 44

Actor Dustin Diamond, who was best known for his role as Screech on the Saturday morning sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” has died, according to reports.

He was 44 years old. 

Diamond was diagnosed with cancer and hospitalized just three weeks ago.

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“In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution,” his reps said, according to Variety.com. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.”

Diamond's Career

Diamond got his first official acting credits for small roles in the TV movie “Yogi’s Great Escape” and an episode of “It’s a Living” in 1987, but came into his breakout role just one year later, Variety continued. 

Cast in “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” the actor portrayed Screech for 13 episodes. The show would go on to be the basis for “Saved by the Bell,” which Diamond acted in until 1992.

Diamond continued to reprise his role for the franchise in various spinoffs, including “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” and “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” the latter of which he starred in for about six years.

He appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, and was married to Jennifer Misner from 2009 to 2013. 

Photo: Rob DeCaterino/CreativeCommons