RIP Dustin Diamond - Screech from Saved by the Bell

[Adelle Dazeem]

Well, clearly he deserved to die......

Uhhh..never once did I say he deserved to die, but if interpreting my words that way that makes you feel better, please continue.

 

[NotUrsula]

He wasn't a smoker, so there's a mystery as to why he got it. I looked up that he's speculated that it could have been from asbestos or mold from questionable (read budget) hotel rooms where he's stayed. Of course there are always random reasons why people get cancer.

Probably not asbestos unless he was making a habit of punching holes in the walls of cheap motel rooms, asbestos is only a threat if the particles are released from solid substrate. This was small-cell carcinoma, which is extremely unusual in non-smokers (and usually much more deadly); so far, the most common cause that has been found, next to secondhand tobacco smoke, is heavy exposure to radon, combined with an uncommon genetic mutation that makes you particularly susceptible. (I happen to have that marker, so I'm a wee bit more educated about this topic than I would like to be. In my family, smoking isn't just a risk, it is a 100% effective suicide method.)

 

[tinatark]

He wasn't a smoker, so there's a mystery as to why he got it. I looked up that he's speculated that it could have been from asbestos or mold from questionable (read budget) hotel rooms where he's stayed. Of course there are always random reasons why people get cancer.

I read it didn't originate in his lungs. It hasn't been disclosed where it metastasized from.

 

[neverlandsky]

Wasn't he really a jerk in real life? I didn't watch SBTB, but I remember he was on the celeb fitness show and yeesh, what an absolute weiner! He tried to get into physical altercations with the other contestants and even one of the fitness instructors. I know he spent time in jail for assault as well.

I don't know about the jerk part. Then again what actor isn't egotistical in some nature. He played a rememberable iconic nerd and seem to want to break away from that, just like some Disney stars want to break away from that Disney image. He did have a checkered past which I'm sure were some "child star" issues that followed into adulthood. Not excusing it, yet he did his time and became a productive member of society. No different then other actor/celebrity who did time like Martha Stewart, Lori Laughlin, Tim Allen, Robert Downey Jr. etc.

 

[superme80]

It is always sad when someone from my childhood dies. The child actor industry is brutal. I feel bad for him. He never was able to have a normal life.

 

[nw6675]

I'm just going to say, I'm really sad. Some of you know I've shared my personal story of being an alcoholic. Not even close to being cancer and it's my issue to deal with for the not so kind people. But death and despair hit me hard and he was same age as I am.

 

[angelmav]

When I heard this earlier it reminded me of an Aunt I had that passed away from cancer. One day she fell after getting out of the car. Shattered her hip. Turned out she was riddled with bone cancer. She didn’t know until the accident. She was gone shortly after. Sad news no matter what you think of him.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I can speak to what I knew of him. There are "celebrities" who don't act like that - lots of them.

You "knew" of him. Yeah, ok
moving on...

 

[fly girl]

It is always sad when someone from my childhood dies. The child actor industry is brutal. I feel bad for him. He never was able to have a normal life.

I don't think so either. And I think that is what led to his adulthood turmoil.

No real childhood. He was younger than the rest of the cast so he was often excluded, once the show was over he was still "Screech" and couldn't get work. Watching your co-stars move forward and you are pigeon holed is tough, especially when you are young and can't see the forest through the trees.

And from what I've read it appears his parents spent his earnings so he was left broke. (Another Gary Coleman story) Dustin definitely made his fair share of mistakes, but after his brush with the law, it appeared he had wanted to make a change for the positive. I know he apologized to his SBTB castmates for the book. Idk if they forgave him, but by their responses to his passing I feel they have.

That is why I want him to be remembered for the good he did. SBTB is part of my youth. I fondly remember watching it on Saturday mornings and even on TBS re-runs. It was a clean cut family show, and Screech added in the slapstick humor. The show wouldn't have been the success it was without him.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

You "knew" of him. Yeah, ok
moving on...

What I saw of him? What he portrayed of himself on the one show I watched that he was on? What was reported of his actions in the news? Is that better for you. I never said I "knew" him.

 

[bcla]

I don't think so either. And I think that is what led to his adulthood turmoil.

No real childhood. He was younger than the rest of the cast so he was often excluded, once the show was over he was still "Screech" and couldn't get work. Watching your co-stars move forward and you are pigeon holed is tough, especially when you are young and can't see the forest through the trees.

And from what I've read it appears his parents spent his earnings so he was left broke. (Another Gary Coleman story) Dustin definitely made his fair share of mistakes, but after his brush with the law, it appeared he had wanted to make a change for the positive. I know he apologized to his SBTB castmates for the book. Idk if they forgave him, but by their responses to his passing I feel they have.

That is why I want him to be remembered for the good he did. SBTB is part of my youth. I fondly remember watching it on Saturday mornings and even on TBS re-runs. It was a clean cut family show, and Screech added in the slapstick humor. The show wouldn't have been the success it was without him.

I wouldn't expect that they would trash him upon his death. He claims that the book was ghostwritten from interviews where the writer wildly exaggerated.

Mario Lopez claims that he actually talked to Diamond about getting treatment, so at least they were on speaking terms.

 

[fly girl]

I wouldn't expect that they would trash him upon his death. He claims that the book was ghostwritten from interviews where the writer wildly exaggerated.

Mario Lopez claims that he actually talked to Diamond about getting treatment, so at least they were on speaking terms.

No, that would be horrible if they trashed him. But, if they truly disliked him they could have stayed silent or just sent out a simple RIP. MPG remarked on his comedic genius. To me that doesn't read as having ill will towards a person. YMMV

 

[GreatLakes]

The guy had his deamons but 44 is young no matter what you thought of the guy.

I have to say though there isn't enough money in the world to let my son become a child actor. I don't care how much cash is on offer, the downside is just too great.

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm just going to say, I'm really sad. Some of you know I've shared my personal story of being an alcoholic. Not even close to being cancer and it's my issue to deal with for the not so kind people. But death and despair hit me hard and he was same age as I am.

eksmama01