The 44 year-old Saved By the Bell star Dustin Diamond known as the iconic character Screech, was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma and passed away yesterday morning from lung cancer. Diamond started acting at when he was eight years old, and rose to fame at a young age. Diamond did not appear on the first season of the Saved by the Bell reboot on Peacock last year.

According to People magazine, interview with Diamond’s manager Roger Paul, Diamond was hoping to appear on the Season 2 reboot after talking to an executive producer from the show. Former Co-stars Mario Lopez, Tiffani Thiessen, and Elizabeth Berkley shared on social media about Diamond. On Access Hollywood Lopez spoke about their friendship,“He was like a little brother to me, we always remained in contact over the years and actually just spoke to him a few weeks ago after his diagnosis. Even then he was full of energy and he was optimistic.”  

Lopez and Diamond were discussing about the upcoming Season 2 reboot. Diamond was two years younger than the rest of the Saved by the Bell cast.

Co-star Tiffani Thiessen who played “Kelly” on the show shared, “I am deeply saddened by the news of my old co-star @realdustindiamond passing. Life is extremely fragile and it’s something we should never take for granted…” 

Co-Star Elizabeth Berkley who played “Jessie” on the show shared on social media, “I’m grateful to have gotten to create with Dustin when we were at the beginning of our dreams coming true. I will hold onto those sweet memories and the laughs we shared. He was a truly gifted talent. Rest in Peace.”  

If you haven’t watched Saved by the Bell, here are different scenes of Diamond playing as the character “Screech” on the classic Sitcom Saved by the Bell. Diamond’s manager Paul also told People magazine, “He helped so many kids who were bullied over the years, helped them use humor.”