What Happened to Dustin Diamond? Inside the Late Actor’s Life After “Saved by the Bell”

Dustin Diamond, best known for his role as Samuel “Screech” Powers on the iconic teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” experienced significant upheaval in both his personal and professional life after the series concluded in 2000. His portrayal of Screech, a character he inhabited for over a decade, left a lasting impression on pop culture. However, the actor struggled to shed this on-screen identity, leading him to explore various career paths in a bid to redefine himself.

After the spin-off series “The New Class” came to an end, Diamond faced difficulties securing acting roles that did not evoke his beloved character. Speaking candidly in a December 2013 interview on “Oprah: Where Are They Now?”, he acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, “I didn’t really know what I was going to do. It was hard to get work that wasn’t Screech-cloned stuff.” This quest for reinvention led him to dabble in stand-up comedy, engage in reality television, and even participate in professional wrestling.

Among his various pursuits, Diamond garnered attention for appearing in reality shows such as “Celebrity Boxing” and “Celebrity Fit Club.” Despite his efforts to establish a career in stand-up comedy during the 2010s, it ultimately did not gain significant traction. In addition to these ventures, he made notable appearances in films like “Big Fat Liar” and “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” as well as competing in Hulk Hogan’s “Celebrity Championship Wrestling” in 2008.

In 2009, Diamond stirred controversy by publishing a tell-all memoir titled “Behind the Bell,” which chronicled his experiences on the set of “Saved by the Bell.” The book contained explosive allegations about his former co-stars, including claims that Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who played Zack Morris, used steroids, and that Mario Lopez, known for his role as A.C. Slater, was a “womanizer.” The fallout from these revelations strained his relationships with fellow cast members. Under intense criticism, Diamond later stated that some of the claims were embellished by a ghostwriter, explaining, “I have nothing but good thoughts and memories towards everybody.”

In the wake of his controversial book, Diamond sought forgiveness from his former colleagues, and in a November 2016 interview on “The Dr. Oz Show,” he expressed regret over the accusations he had made. He characterised this reflection as a step toward mending the damage done to his relationships, stating, “It was my best weapon for repairing the damage that was caused by things that were done by people who took advantage of me at the time.”

Away from the limelight, Diamond’s life was marred by serious legal troubles. In 2015, he was involved in a bar altercation in Wisconsin where a man was stabbed. While Diamond claimed he acted in self-defence, he was ultimately convicted of two misdemeanours: carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. He served three months in jail as part of the sentencing.

As Diamond sought to regain stability in his life, his health took a devastating turn. In January 2021, it was reported that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of lung cancer. Just three weeks after this diagnosis, and shortly after beginning chemotherapy, Diamond passed away on February 1, 2021, at the age of 44. His representative described his illness as a “brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer” that spread rapidly throughout his body. They conveyed gratitude that he did not suffer, stating that the actor was spared prolonged pain during his final days.

In the aftermath of his passing, tributes poured in from former co-stars and fans alike. Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle on “Saved by the Bell,” shared her feelings of sadness and loss, noting that she felt the impact of his death deeply. In a reflective moment on the show “Hollywood Demons: After the Bell,” she said, “When he died of cancer, that hurt.” Voorhies expressed appreciation for the moments they shared, stating, “I’m glad we got that on footage, because he matters.”

Dustin Diamond’s journey after “Saved by the Bell” was one filled with both triumphs and trials, painting a complex picture of a man striving for identity beyond his childhood stardom. While he will forever be remembered for his role as Screech, his story is one of both the struggles faced by former young actors and the enduring impact of the series that launched him into the public eye.