His 'Saved by the Bell' co-stars have posted some touching tributes
Dustin Diamond, best-known for playing Screech in the series 'Saved by the Bell', has died at the age of 44. The actor had been diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks ago.
Among those who have paid tribute to Dustin Diamond are his former co-stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, Tiffani Amber Thiessen, Lark Voorhies and Toni Spelling.
Gosselaar and Lopez had played Zack and Slater in the series. Berkeley Lauren played Jessie, Thiessen played Kelly, Voorhies was Lisa and Spelling was Screech's love interest Violet.
The show ran from 1989 to 1993 and recently inspired a reboot series of the same name on the streaming service Peacock. While Diamond was the only one of the six lead cast members to not appear in the reboot, his rep said the actor had been in talks to reprise his role if the show was picked up for season 2.
Voorhies shared a tribute to Diamond via Entertainment Weekly: "Words cannot express the grief that I am feeling right now. Dustin and I had a warm and special friendship, he was a caring gentleman, and my memories of him will always be cherished.
"I am so very sorry he is gone. But it's exceptionally sad for his close loved ones who have do deal with his tragic death and their own great loss. My heart goes out to them at this trying time."
Gosselaar wrote on Twitter: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Looking back at our time working together, I will miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade."
Thiessen, Lopez, Berkley Lauren and Spelling paid tribute to Dustin Diamons on Instagram.