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How did Dustin Diamond die? 'Saved by the Bell' star who was infamous for sex-tape sold t-shirts to save home

Dustin Diamond, the actor well known for his role as Screech in 'Saved by the Bell' died on Monday after battling cancer
PUBLISHED FEB 1, 2021
Dustin Diamond. (Getty Images)
Dustin Diamond. (Getty Images)

Actor Dustin Diamond who played the role of fan-favorite 'Saved by the Bell' character Screech from when he was 10-years-old to when he was 23-years-old died on Monday after battling stage 4 lung cancer. His publicist Roger Paul confirmed that the actor died due to carcinoma. He was 44 years old.

In a statement to USA Today, Paul said "We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond’s passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma." He also added, "He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago. In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution. Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful."

Diamond was admitted to the hospital earlier in January and on his Facebook page, an update about his condition was shared. It read, "At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. Dustin Will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made." The actor who played the role of his lifetime in 'Saved by the Bell' from the late 1980s to 2000 did not see much success outside of the show. He did get to star in small parts for films and in reality TV shows. From famous, the actor tumbled into infamy starting with a self-produced sex tape in 2006.

Actor Dustin Diamond poses for a portrait during the 2007 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2007 in Park City, Utah. (Getty Images)

Did Dusting Diamond really star in a sex tape?

In 2006, Dustin Diamond decided to produce a sex tape titled 'Screeched - Saved By The Smell' in which he appears to be having sex with two women. This was just the beginning of a series of controversies that Diamond was caught in. In an episode of 'Where Are They Now?' in 2009 however, he claimed that the scenes that seem to feature Diamond in the nude were portrayed by a stunt double. He had reportedly hoped that this controversial video would put him under the spotlight and get him more bookings, but that was not the case. 

Diamond's allegations about 'Saved by the Bell' costars in his self-authored memoir 'Behind the Bell'. 

Diamond wrote a memoir titled 'Behind the Bell' in 2009 in which he made a number of shocking allegations about his costars in the show 'Saved by the Bell'. From accusing fellow cast members of indulging in wild sex shenanigans to claiming that Mark-Paul Gosselaar was on steroids, the book became controversial. In fact, when Gosselaar was asked about the allegations that Diamond had made in the book, he had revealed to Huffington Post, "Everything I’ve heard about his book is that it is negative, and I don’t remember those things because my experience on the show was very positive."

Dustin Diamond enters the courthouse as he attends further proceedings at Ozaukee County Courthouse on February 19, 2015 in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Diamond, best known for his role as Screech on "Saved by the Bell," was arrested for possession of a switchblade and charged with reckless endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct on December 26, 2014 in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. (Getty Images)

Attempt to save his home by selling t-shirts

It was reported that the actor had probably earned a huge sum for playing the role of Screech in 'Saved by the Bell'. However, he had claimed that his parents had used his earnings to live a lavish life. In fact, the actor traded his home in Hollywood for a modest house in Wisconsin. In 2006, the actor had to come up with $250,000 in 30 days to pay off his debt or risk losing his home. So he came up with the idea of selling t-shirts for $15 apiece with "I paid $15.00 to save Screeech’s house” written on them. He did manage to find the money and even remortgage his home. 

Christmas day fight in a bar

On Christmas day in 2014, the actor was arrested for getting into a bar fight while he was out with his girlfriend Amanda Schutz. At the trial, he claimed that he had accidentally stabbed the assailant who had punched Schutz when he had taken his pocket knife out. He was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, which led to a sentence of four months in prison. He was out in three months but was arrested again for violating the conditions of his probation after the painkiller oxycodone showed up in one of his drug tests.

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