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Entertainment • Actor

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond was an American actor best known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers across the *Saved by the Bell* franchise.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dustin Diamond was an American actor best known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers across the *Saved by the Bell* franchise. He began acting as a child and later appeared in film, reality television, and other projects. Diamond died in 2021 at age 44 after being diagnosed with stage 4 small-cell carcinoma.

Early life and career

Dustin Neil Diamond was born in San Jose, California, and began acting as a child. Early credits included family-oriented film and television work before his breakout role.

Saved by the Bell

Diamond is best known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers across the *Saved by the Bell* franchise. He was part of the original run and later spinoffs, making the character the defining role of his career.

Later work

After his teen sitcom fame, Diamond appeared in films, reality television, stand-up comedy, and other media projects. Sources note roles in productions such as *American Pie Presents: The Book of Love* and *Hamlet A.D.D.*

Death

In January 2021, Diamond was diagnosed with stage 4 small-cell carcinoma. He died on February 1, 2021, in Cape Coral, Florida, at age 44.

Key facts

  • Diamond became widely known for portraying Samuel "Screech" Powers in *Saved by the Bell* and its related series.
  • He appeared from *Good Morning, Miss Bliss* through *The College Years* and *The New Class*.
  • He also worked in films and reality television later in his career, including *Celebrity Fit Club*.
  • Diamond published the tell-all book *Behind the Bell* and took on other entertainment projects after his teen-sitcom fame.
  • He was diagnosed with stage 4 small-cell carcinoma in early 2021 and died later that month.
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Canadian context

Diamond's work was widely familiar to Canadian audiences through the long-running popularity of *Saved by the Bell* on North American television.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dustin Diamond?
He was an American actor best known for playing Screech in the *Saved by the Bell* franchise.
What was Dustin Diamond's full name?
His birth name was Dustin Neil Diamond.
What role made Dustin Diamond famous?
Samuel "Screech" Powers in *Saved by the Bell* and its related series.
When was Dustin Diamond born?
He was born on January 7, 1977.
When did Dustin Diamond die?
He died on February 1, 2021, at age 44.
What did Dustin Diamond do after *Saved by the Bell*?
He appeared in films, reality television, stand-up comedy, and other entertainment projects.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dustin_Diamond
    Supports: Career overview, *Saved by the Bell* role, later film credits, and franchise chronology.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0224616/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death details, and general biographical information.
  3. Television Academy — https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/dustin-diamond
    Supports: Birthplace, death date, and identification of his best-known role.
  4. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/people/dustin-diamond-177153/biography
    Supports: Early acting credits, later projects, and career summary.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dustin_Diamond
    Supports: Stage 4 small-cell carcinoma diagnosis and death details.