What happened to Screech from Saved by the Bell? Inside Dustin Diamond's final years
Dustin Diamond, who played the lovable nerd Samuel "Screech" Powers on Saved by the Bell, died on February 1, 2021, at age 44.
His final years were marked by personal struggles, legal trouble, and a tragically swift cancer diagnosis.
The role that defined him
Diamond was cast as Screech when he was just 11 years old. He first appeared in Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988), which evolved into Saved by the Bell (1989–1993). He continued the role through The College Years (1993–1994) and The New Class (1994–2000) — 13 seasons total. For millions of viewers who grew up in the '90s, Screech was the awkward, inventive, endlessly loyal sidekick to Zack Morris.
Life after the show
Unlike his co-stars, Diamond struggled to build a career beyond Screech. He appeared on reality shows including Celebrity Boxing (2002) and Celebrity Big Brother UK (2013). In 2006, a sex tape was released under his name, which he later said was staged using a body double. In 2009, he published a tell-all book, Behind the Bell, which contained unflattering stories about his former co-stars — damaging his relationships with them further.
In 2014, Diamond was arrested in Wisconsin after a bar altercation in which a man was stabbed. Diamond was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, serving three months in jail.
The 2020 reboot snub
When Peacock launched a Saved by the Bell sequel series in 2020, original cast members Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani Thiessen all returned. Diamond was not included. The show explained Screech's absence by saying he was living on the International Space Station.
His death
In January 2021, Diamond was hospitalized in Florida after discovering a lump on his neck. He was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma — an aggressive form of cancer that had already spread throughout his body. He died three weeks later.
His representative said: "Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful."
Former co-star Mario Lopez called him a friend he'd miss. Gosselaar called him "a true comedic genius." Thiessen wrote simply: "God speed, Dustin."