Beloved 90’s star Dustin Diamond has died from lung cancer at 44 years old.
The actor found fame at a young age while on the NBC sitcom ‘Saved By The Bell’ as Samuel “Screech” Powers. Diamond quickly became a part of everyone’s Saturday morning from 1989 to 1992. While he brought joy to people’s homes as Screech, he unfortunately struggled for stability after the show ended.
In a statement from the actor’s agent, he expresses how although Diamond has not lived a perfect life, it is still one worth celebrating. “His actions, though rebukeable, stemmed from loss and the lack of knowledge on how to process that pain properly. In actuality, 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.”
In his troubled past, Diamond was put under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. In 2006, Diamond reprised his role as Screech in an infamous sex tape. He was also criticized for his memoir, ‘Behind the Bell’, where he recounts alleged controversies among the cast members on set. Diamond’s image was only tainted even more after getting arrested twice.
Despite everything, fans and cast members have been paying tribute to Diamond on social media.
Friends forever pic.twitter.com/Jf2BRWYNuT
— R.P. McMurphy (@goodbyemrburton) 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
RIP pic.twitter.com/527whk7kmn
— R.P. McMurphy (@goodbyemrburton) February 1, 2021
In an interview from 2016 with his former co-star Mario Lopez, Diamond appeared to be committed in making a change in his life. He also wanted to make amends with his cast members who may have been hurt by his actions. While Diamond did struggle for years, it was hopeful to see him in a new light. It’s just unfortunate that he and the world never got to see it through.
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