Fans of “Saved by the Bell” are paying homage to Dustin Diamond after he lost a battle to lung cancer on Monday (Feb. 1).
Diamond played the role of Screech on the 90s sitcom — a character whose jokes and comedic behavior not only helped him become a fan favorite, but is what most viewers will most remember in his absence.
“I still remember getting up and watching saved by the bell every morning before school and thinking, man that screech is hilarious and lucky to have that group of friends,” one Twitter user wrote. “It’s a sad, sad say in Bayside High today. #RIP Dustin aka ‘Screech’ Diamond.”
“Nah… Not Screech. Not Dustin Diamond,” another user tweeted. “Too many memories. He was legit one of the top funniest members on Saved by the Bell. RIP Screech (44). So sad.”
One fan recalled a particular episode in his tribute, writing, “Rest in peace, #DustinDiamond I think we will remember him by watching the episode where Screech gets hit by lightning and can tell the future.”
Another crowned Screech one of the best nerds in television history. “RIP Screech. Every generation gets an era-defining nerd,” he wrote. “For the 90s, no one did it weirder.”
As REVOLT reported, Diamond passed away only three weeks after he was diagnosed with a “brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer,” per his publicisit Roger Paul. “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.”
Mario Lopez — who played A.C. Slater on “Saved by the Bell” — reacted to the news with a heartfelt tribute. “Dustin, you will be missed my man. The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on…,” he tweeted. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris) and Tiffani Theissen (Kelly Kapowski) also wrote loving messages to their former castmate.