RIP Dustin Diamond - Screech from Saved by the Bell

[bcla]

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/dustin-diamond-dead-saved-by-the-bell-screech-1234897484/​

Dustin Diamond, known for playing the lovable nerd Samuel “Screech” Powers on the hit sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” died on Monday morning due to carcinoma. He was 44.​

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The actor was diagnosed with the 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,” the actor’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.”​

I knew there was a new continuation series and he wasn't involved.

 

[Moliphino]

How awful, that was so fast. ☹

 

[neverlandsky]

Didn't expect it to be this fast. I know he said his mom passed away young from breast cancer. So sad. Hate cancer.

 

[BrianL]

Oh man, good ol' Screech. RIP buddy.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Wow.
Sorry to hear

 

[Disneylover99]

Wow.
so fast!
so very sad.

 

[bcla]

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.

 

[Meriweather]

Wow.....so sorry to hear this.

 

[fly girl]

I had no idea he was diagnosed with cancer so this was a shock to me. 44, too young.

I hope he will be remembered for his light heart silly comedy that was a part of many Gen X childhoods.

 

[sailorstitch]

OMG! I can't believe he went so fast.

I've been following this story. Unlike most from my generation, I didn't grow up watching Saved by the Bell. The show never looked appealing to me.

But Dustin made a cameo appearance in my favorite 98° music video.

I laughed so hard the first time I saw it! I'll always remember him for that small gag.

 

[lynxstch]

RIP Screech

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

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.

 

[J'aime Paris]

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.

It's not nice to speak ill of the dead...

He was involved in a bar fight and stabbed someone. Took place near where I live, it was big news at the time.

And what celebrity, sports figure, reality tv star isn't a messed up, entitled, spoiled jerk? Nearly all of them at some point....

 

[The WDW 3]

He faked a sex tape

 

[The WDW 3]

 

[BrianL]

It's not nice to speak ill of the dead...

He was involved in a bar fight and stabbed someone. Took place near where I live, it was big news at the time.

And what celebrity, sports figure, reality tv star isn't a messed up, entitled, spoiled jerk? Nearly all of them at some point....

He definitely had some issues, but I think a lot of it was a bit of an over-the-top persona for the cameras. I was never clear on if he actually stabbed anybody or just pulled the knife. He definitely had some demons like many comedians do. It's still sad to see Screech go so young - only a few years older than me.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

It's not nice to speak ill of the dead...

He was involved in a bar fight and stabbed someone. Took place near where I live, it was big news at the time.

And what celebrity, sports figure, reality tv star isn't a messed up, entitled, spoiled jerk? Nearly all of them at some point....

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

 

[handinpocket]

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.

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

 

[RamblingMad]

He was so young.

 

[VandVsmama]

Re: speaking ill of the dead...

He, like many child stars, had a lot of personal problems in the years after the TV show he was on ended. Hollywood chews up and spits out child stars. It's pretty sad. Few child actors successfully make the transition to getting decent acting gigs as adults once they reach adulthood. Unfortunately, many of them end up type cast and things go nowhere. When you combine that with ready access to lots of drugs and alcohol, and it's a perfect storm of issues.

I feel bad for the guy. I'm sorry that he died of cancer, but what a relief that it went quickly and he didn't have to suffer for too long.