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Dustin Neil Diamond (January 7, 1977 – February 1, 2021) was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known for portraying Samuel "Screech" Powers throughout the Saved by the Bell franchise.
In 2007, Diamond was a cast member of the fifth season of Celebrity Fit Club. During his run on the show, he came into conflict with former American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, country singer Cledus T. Judd, rapper Da Brat, the program's host Ant, and the program's trainer, former USMC sergeant Harvey Walden IV. During one episode, Diamond mentioned what may have happened if he were to challenge Ant to "physical combat" and after Harvey Walden defended Ant, Diamond subsequently said the same to him, causing Walden to lose his temper.
Following Celebrity Fit Club, Diamond played roles as "Alumnus Guy #1" in (2009), in a supporting role in the sports comedy Tetherball: The Movie (2010), and as Bernardo, the castle guard, in the partially animated science-fiction comedy Hamlet A.D.D. (2014).
He appeared as a host at the 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos.
In August 2013, Diamond became a housemate on the twelfth series of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. He became the fourth housemate to be evicted on Day 16.
Diamond was a spokesperson for the Rockford, Illinois-based insurance company Insurance King. In some of its commercials that he is featured in, he makes several references to Saved by the Bell (with logos in the commercial saying "Saved By the King"). In other commercials, he is shown to be pulled over, not caring about the already numerous tickets he has because he is "saved by the King!", being in a Western film-style standoff, and being a terrible barber.
On September 18, 2002, he appeared on an Impact Wrestling's Asylum weekly pay-per-view. Billed as Screech, he challenged TNA's bellkeeper, Tiny the Bellkeeper, to a boxing match. Screech won by knockout in 42 seconds.
In 2008, Diamond was a contestant on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling, broadcast on CMT.
Diamond was a special guest referee for a match at Celebrity Big Bang Wrestling, Mistress Devon James vs Susan Finkelstein on July 22, 2010.
On February 11, 2011, Diamond teamed with Jordan McEntyre and Knight Wagner, losing to MsChif, Marion Fontaine and Krotch in an intergender match at AAW in Merrionette Park, Illinois. On March 17, 2011, he teamed with Bushwhacker Luke, Izzy Slapawitz and Doink the Clown to beat Virgil, Ashley Sixx, Celine Jean and Sheena at TWE Rethinking Rumble in Vaughan, Ontario. He lost his final match in a tag during the main event of FTW Summer of Synn, in Ronkonkoma, New York, on July 7, 2012.
He reportedly married longtime girlfriend Jennifer Misner in 2009, separated in 2013 and later divorced, although his death certificate lists him as having never married. They did not have any children.
On December 26, 2014, Diamond was arrested in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, for possession of a switchblade knife, which he was alleged to have pulled during a bar altercation in which a man was stabbed. Amanda Schutz, his fiancée, was found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined $500. On May 29, 2015, he was convicted of two : carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. He was cleared of the most serious charge, recklessly endangering public safety. On June 25, he was sentenced to four months in jail. He served three months and was released on probation. His probation agent later determined that he had violated his terms and he was arrested again in May 2016.McKirdy, Evan (May 26, 2016). "'Saved by the Bell' star Dustin Diamond back in jail after probation violation" . CNN.
Sex tape
In 2006, Diamond directed and released his own celebrity sex tape, Screeched – Saved by the Smell. According to Melanie McFarland's retelling of a press release, Diamond said the tape got out because he and a group of friends had a "monthly gathering" wherein they exchanged such tapes. Several years later, Diamond said in a interview on the Oprah Winfrey Network that he was not in the sex tape; rather, a stunt double had his likeness superimposed.
Behind the Bell
In 2009, Diamond published a memoir in which he recounted behind-the-scenes anecdotes of the production of Saved by the Bell from his point of view, titled Behind the Bell. The book paints an unflattering portrait of many of Diamond's colleagues and backstage behavior. Some of these claims were repudiated by Diamond's colleagues and questioned by critics. Diamond later commented on the book's content in a December 2013 appearance on an Oprah: Where Are They Now? segment on the OWN Network, in which he stated that the book was ghostwritten by an author who simply interviewed him and compiled the book from his answers. He claimed that many parts of the book, such as allegations of teen sex and drug use, were fabricated from very minor statements he made during the interviews.
Other work
Diamond was also a musician and formed an alternative metal band called Salty The Pocketknife. Diamond played bass and wrote much of the music as well. Shortly after recording their first album, the band split up due to internal disagreements. Diamond also appeared on truTV's as a commentator.
Professional wrestling career
Diamond was a fan of professional wrestling. He appeared at Memphis Championship Wrestling in April 2000. He was a part of a skit with Stacy Carter where he was beaten up by Chip Diver, the Fabulous Rocker and Dannie B.
Personal life
In 2001, Diamond filed for bankruptcy in California. He moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, in 2003. On June 13, 2006, he asked listeners of The Howard Stern Show to visit his website and purchase a T-shirt, reading "I paid $15.00 to save Screeech's house" (spelling "Screech" with an extra 'e' for copyright reasons). He said he hoped to sell 30,000 shirts in order to raise $250,000 and avoid foreclosure on his house. Diamond moved to Florida in 2018, and put his house in Port Washington up for sale the following year.
Illness and death
In early January 2021, Diamond was diagnosed with extensive stage four small-cell carcinoma of the lungs. Despite completing one round of chemotherapy in Cape Coral, Florida, he died from the disease on February 1, 2021, at age 44.
NASCAR tribute
After Diamond's death, Dan Block, the founder of Insurance King and close friend of Diamond, partnered with Josh Bilicki, driver of the #52 Rick Ware Racing Ford, to run a tribute car for Diamond in the 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.
Filmography
Film
Television
1987 American Playhouse Young Stiles 1 episode It's a Living Young Sonny 1 episode Yogi's Great Escape Chubby Kid Voice role; 1 episode 1988–1989 Good Morning, Miss Bliss Samuel "Screech" Powers Main role 1989–1990 The Wonder Years Joey Harris / Joey Lapman 2 episodes 1989–1993 Saved by the Bell Samuel "Screech" Powers Main role 1990 The Munsters Today Rob 1 episode 1992 Samuel "Screech" Powers Television film 1993 Getting By Tommy 2 episodes 1993–1994 Samuel "Screech" Powers Main role 1994 Samuel "Screech" Powers Television film 1994–2000 Samuel "Screech" Powers Main role (seasons 2–7) 2002 The Rerun Show Doctor 1 episode Star Dates Himself 1 episode 2004 Tom Goes to the Mayor Himself 1 episode 2005 Duck Dodgers Xainius the Eternal 1 episode 2007 Celebrity Fit Club Himself Main role (seasons 5–6) 2013 Celebrity Big Brother Himself Housemate (series 12) Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side Himself Housemate 2017 Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell Himself 1 episode
Music videos
1999 I Do (Cherish You) Groom Music Video for the band 98 Degrees 2017 Kill All the Things Harvey Weinstein Music Video for the band TENLo
Awards and nominations
External links
Categories: 1977 Births, 2021 Deaths, 20th-century American Comedians, 20th-century American Male Actors, 21st-century American Comedians, 21st-century American Male Actors, American Male Child Actors, American Male Television Actors, American Stand-up Comedians, Comedians From California, Comedians From Wisconsin, Deaths From Lung Cancer In Florida, Film Directors From California, Film Directors From Wisconsin, Jewish American Male Actors, Jewish American Comedians, Jewish Male Comedians, Male Actors From San Jose, California, Musicians From San Jose, California, Participants In American Reality Television Series, People From Port Washington, Wisconsin, 21st-century American Jews, Celebrity Big Brother Contestants
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