Is Dustin Diamond dead? Sex tape to assault, a look at 'Saved By The Bell' star's controversies amid death hoax
On October 4, a news outlet called Ringsssss satirically declared actor and stand-up comedian Dustin Diamond dead. With many taking the news seriously, social media was soon abuzz with news of the actor's "death". But the actor is in fact alive as no such reports have emerged from any other news portal.
The Ringsssss report titled “Saved By The Bell’s, Dustin ‘Screech’ Diamond Killed In Prison Riot At Age 43", said, "Diamond (43), was finishing up a 15-year sentence for a stabbing that happened after someone criticized his comedic skills and heckled him at a comedy club, when he was tragically struck down in prison resulting in his death.”
The report added, "With 2 months left to serve, Diamond was looking forward to getting home in time for the holidays, when on Saturday, October 3, 2020, a riot broke out in the wing he resided. Dustin heard a commotion and leaned out his cell to see what was going on. A rush of prisoners was coming his way. Suddenly Diamond was on the ground bleeding profusely and nonresponsive to medical attention." The report also said, "The family is asking for donations to help pay off strip clubs and bars Diamond owed money to. Donations for a headstone are also appreciated.”
Soon, social media users started sharing a screenshot of the article. But turns out, the report is was a satirical piece. In its ‘About Us’ section, Ringsssss calls itself a “fabricated satirical newspaper and comedy website” that uses fictional names in its stories “except in cases when public figures are being satirized".
While we can celebrate that the actor is alive, here's a look at his past controversies.
His past controversies
Diamond is a multifaceted personality. He is an actor, director, stand-up comedian and musician best known for playing the role of Samuel 'Screech' Powers on the ‘Saved by the Bell’ franchise. He played his part for 12 years in the series and was 23 when the series ended. "I didn't really know what I was gonna do," he said in an OWN interview after the series ended as he was looking for work.
In 2006, Diamond reportedly directed and released his own sex tape named ‘Screeched – Saved by the Smell’, according to several outlets. However, later in an interview with OWN, he said he was not actually in the sex tape and it was a "stunt double" who featured in it. He said he regretted the sex tape since its release.
After this, Diamond was again mired in controversies in 2014 when he was arrested in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, for allegedly stabbing a guy, as reported by TMZ. The site reported that the Port Washington Police Department said that Diamond was arrested for possession of a switchblade, reckless endangerment and carrying a concealed weapon. Police reportedly told TMZ that Diamond allegedly stabbed a guy after getting into an argument late on Christmas evening.
In 2015, he was found guilty and was jailed for four months, as reported by Daily Beast, and fined with $1000. When he was released, he was placed on probation with conditions. However, he reportedly violated the conditions by testing positive for a painkiller and so he returned to the Wisconsin jail in May 2016 to serve two days, as reported by Hollywood Reporter.
Currently, Diamond lives in Post Washington, Wisconsin, where he continues to work as a stand-up comedian.