Dustin Diamond

Template:Short description Template:Protection padlock Template:Use mdy dates Template:Lead too short Template:Infobox person Dustin Neil Diamond (January 7, 1977 – February 1, 2021)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known for portraying Samuel "Screech" Powers throughout the Saved by the Bell franchise.<ref name=tvg>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life

Diamond was born in San Jose, California, the son of Jaimee and Mark Diamond.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His father taught digital electronics for a computer processing firm, and his mother was a computer operator for Pacific Bell.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Diamond was Jewish,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and attended Zion Lutheran School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

Diamond began acting as a child. He became known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers on the television show Saved by the Bell, a role he played for close to thirteen years from its beginning as Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988–89) through its final incarnation, Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1994–2000). Continuing the series into college, Saved by the Bell: The College Years shows most of the cast transplanted into not only the same college, but also the same college dormitory, where Screech continued his typical misadventures. The College Years was canceled after one season. Diamond returned to Bayside High as Principal Belding's assistant in The New Class episodes, remaining with the show until its cancellation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Appearances after Saved by the Bell

Diamond began doing stand-up comedy after the end of Saved by the Bell and toured on and off after that.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was also featured on a number of game and reality shows including The Weakest Link and Celebrity Boxing 2. Diamond also made several cameo appearances in films, including appearances in Made (2001) and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003).<ref name="avclub" />

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,<ref name= noexcuses>Template:Cite news</ref> causing Walden to lose his temper.<ref name=noexcuses />

Following Celebrity Fit Club, Diamond played roles as "Alumnus Guy #1" in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (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).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sex tape

In 2006, Diamond directed and released his own celebrity sex tape, Screeched – Saved by the Smell.<ref name=nzherald.co.nz>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="avclub" /> Several years later, Diamond said in a Where Are They Now? interview on the Oprah Winfrey Network that he was not in the sex tape; rather, a stunt double had his likeness superimposed.<ref name="avclub" />

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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 ghost written 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Diamond also appeared on truTV's The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest... as a commentator.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He appeared as a host at the 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos.<ref>Template:Cite videoTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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!”,<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> being in a Western style standoff,<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and being a terrible barber.<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

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 The Kat where he was beaten up by Chip Diver, the Fabulous Rocker, and Dannie B.<ref name="greensborosports.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

On September 18, 2002, he appeared on an NWA-TNA'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.<ref name="heel">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, Diamond was a contestant on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling, broadcast on CMT.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Diamond was a special guest referee for a match at Celebrity Big Bang Wrestling, Mistress Devon James vs Susan Finkelstein on July 22, 2010.<ref name="greensborosports.com"/>

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.<ref name="heel"/>

Personal life

In 2001, Diamond filed for bankruptcy in California. He moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, in 2003.<ref name = JS>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Diamond moved to Florida in 2018,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and put his house in Port Washington up for sale the following year.<ref name=JS />

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They did not have any children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=dustinmarried>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Amanda Schutz, his fiancée,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> was found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined $500.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 29, 2015, he was convicted of two misdemeanors: carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. He was cleared of the most serious charge, recklessly endangering public safety.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 25, he was sentenced to four months in jail.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=probation>McKirdy, Evan (May 26, 2016). "'Saved by the Bell' star Dustin Diamond back in jail after probation violation" Template:Webarchive. CNN.</ref>

Illness and death

In early January 2021, Diamond was diagnosed with extensive stage four small cell carcinoma of the lungs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite completing one round of chemotherapy in Cape Coral, Florida,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he died from the disease on February 1, 2021, at age 44.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:CpHh2UJWgAAfP N.jpg

Bilicki's tribute car to Diamond. On the firesuit, it reads "Dustin N. Diamond 1977-2021".

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Refs
1987	The Price of Life	Young Stiles	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1988	Purple People Eater	Big Z	Film	<ref name="avclub" />
1989	She's Out of Control	Beach boy	Film	<ref name="avclub" />
2000	Longshot	Waiter	Film	<ref name="pressbolt">Template:Cite web</ref>
2001	Made	Himself	Film	<ref name="avclub" />
2002	Jane White Is Sick & Twisted	Simone	Film	<ref name="ok">Template:Cite web</ref>
	Big Fat Liar	Himself	Film	<ref name="cbr">Template:Cite web</ref>
2003	Pauly Shore Is Dead	Himself	Film	<ref name="avclub" />
	Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star	Himself	Film	<ref name="avclub" />
2004	13th Grade	Corey	Film	<ref name="ok" />
2006	Screeched: Saved by the Smell	Himself	Film; also directed	<ref name=nzherald.co.nz/>
2008	Our Feature Presentation	Mr. Renolds	Film	<ref name="pressbolt"/>
2009	Porndogs: The Adventures of Sadie	Buster	Film; voice role	<ref name="dayton">Template:Cite web</ref>
	American Pie Presents: The Book of Love	Alumnus Guy #1	Film	<ref name="nbc">Template:Cite web</ref>
2010	Big Money Rustlas	Man in Outhouse	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2011	Tetherball: The Movie	Coach McAger	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2013	A Dog for Christmas	Fred	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Captured Hearts	Oliver Jaffe	Film	<ref name="vapilot">Template:Cite web</ref>
	Scavenger Killers	Agent Dewayne	Film	<ref name="vapilot"/>
	College Fright Night	Professor Donnely	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2014	Hamlet A.D.D.	Bernardo	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	Joker's Wild	Raynard	Film	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Refs
1987	American Playhouse	Young Stiles	1 episode	<ref name="avclub">Template:Cite web</ref>
	It's a Living	Young Sonny	1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Yogi's Great Escape	Chubby Kid	Voice role; 1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1988–1989	Good Morning, Miss Bliss	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Main role	<ref name="avclub" />
1989–1990	The Wonder Years	Joey Harris / Joey Lapman	2 episodes	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1989–1993	Saved by the Bell	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Main role	<ref name="cnnobit">Template:Cite web</ref>
1990	The Munsters Today	Rob	1 episode	<ref name="avclub" />
1992	Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Television film	<ref name="cnnobit" />
1993	Getting By	Tommy	2 episodes
1993–1994	Saved by the Bell: The College Years	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Main role	<ref name="cnnobit" />
1994	Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Television film	<ref name="cnnobit" />
1994–2000	Saved by the Bell: The New Class	Samuel "Screech" Powers	Main role (seasons 2–7)	<ref name="cnnobit" />
2002	The Rerun Show	Doctor	1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Star Dates	Himself	1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2004	Tom Goes to the Mayor	Himself	1 episode	<ref name="cbr"/>
2005	Duck Dodgers	Xainius the Eternal	1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2007	Celebrity Fit Club	Himself	Main role (seasons 5–6)	<ref name="avclub" />
2013	Celebrity Big Brother	Himself	Housemate (series 12)	<ref name="avclub" />
	Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side	Himself	Housemate	<ref name="avclub" />
2017	Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell	Himself	1 episode	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Music Videos

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Refs
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	<ref name="USAToday">Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
1990	Young Artist Awards	Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast Template:Small	Saved by the Bell	Template:Nominated
		Best Young Actor in an Off-Primetime Family Series		Template:Nominated
1991		Outstanding Young Comedian in a Television Series		Template:Nominated
		Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series Template:Small		Template:Won
1992				Template:Nominated
1993		Best Ensemble Performance in a TV Movie or Special Template:Small	Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style	Template:Won
		Ensemble Award Template:Small	Saved by the Bell	Template:Won
	TV Guide Awards	Editor's Choice Template:Small		Template:Won
1994		Favorite Ensemble Template:Small	Saved by the Bell: The College Years	Template:Won
	Young Artist Awards	Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Cable or Off Primetime Series Template:Small		Template:Nominated
1995	YoungStar Awards	Best Young Ensemble Cast – Television Template:Small		Template:Won
2002	MTV Movie & TV Awards	Best Cameo	Made	Template:Nominated
2004	TV Land Awards	Impact Award Template:Small	Saved by the Bell	Template:Won

External links

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