Dustin Diamond – best known for playing Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers on the hit NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell – has died at the age of 44, it has been confirmed.
A rep for the actor told TMZ on Monday that he succumbed to his battle with Stage Four cancer, commonly referred to as lung cancer.
His girlfriend was by his side at the time of his death, it was added by the site.
RIP: Saved By The Bell star Dustin Diamond dies at 44 amid Stage Four cancer battle; seen in 2016
The site added that his ‘condition had greatly declined since last week.’ The star was also reportedly ‘taken off of breathing machines in an attempt to get him to hospice care.’
In January Dustin went to a hospital in Florida because he had pain all over his body; that is when he was told he had cancer.
According to his reps, Dustin was officially diagnosed with ‘stage four small cell carcinoma.’
‘This is commonly referred to as advanced lung cancer,’ TMZ reported, adding that in this instance, the ‘cancer started elsewhere in his body and metastasized in his lungs.’
He had already gone through his first round of chemotherapy in a hospital last week, according to TMZ.
A source said Diamond is ‘going through a lot of pain’ amid his cancer battle. Sources have said the actor is ‘going to be in the hospital for a while’ as he undergoes treatment, and going through ‘ups and downs’ both physically and emotionally.
The insider said: ‘It’s not good, it’s not good at all. He’s going to be in the hospital for a while. He’s getting through his treatments now. It’s tough, it’s very hard.
His hit show: On Saved By The Bell; (l-r) Mario Lopez as Alabert Clifford ‘A.C.’ Slater, Dennis Haskins as Mr. Richard Belding, Lark Voorhies as Lisa Turtle, Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano, Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zachary ‘Zach’ Morris, Diamond as Screech Powers
Tough setback: Dustin’s hospitalization was reported on January 12, and just says later, a representative for the actor confirmed the news. His rep said: ‘At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer’; seen in 2012
‘He’s going through a lot of pain, but he still keeps his spirits up. Right now, he’s just suffering. He has his ups and downs where he’s great one minute, but then he can be in a lot of pain – tears. It’s such an emotional time.’
But Dustin has the full support of his loved ones, who are ‘calling him every day’ to make sure he’s okay.
The source added to Us Weekly magazine: ‘Those close to him try calling him every day to try to cheer him up. He has a handful of people who are in his close circle — his girlfriend being one of them. They have no idea when he can go home.’
On Monday, his good friend Dan Block, Insurance King president and CEO, told The Sun he thought his friend had only weeks to live.
The good ole days: Thiessen, Gosselaar, Diamond and Lopez in 1996
Dan said Dustin had a ‘huge lump’ in his neck for a while but was afraid to seek medical help because he feared trolls would get photos of him and post them online then make nasty comments.
‘I know that the reason he didn’t get help is because when he goes out people take pictures, put it on the internet and say not nice things about him,’ Dan said. ‘He’s subject to public ridicule all the time and it sucks. People need to know he is a human.’
Dan has also said that Dustin has two wishes before he dies: to talk to the bassist from his favorite band Tool and to visit the Star Wars section of Disney World in Florida.
‘Dustin was learning to play several Tool songs and wanted to start a Tool tribute band,’ Dan Explained.
‘He was in the process of starting the band before being diagnosed with cancer.
He looks up to this man: Dan has also said that Dustin has two wishes before he dies: one is to talk to the bassist from his favorite band Tool; Justin Chancellor is pictured
A place to go: The star would also like to see the Star Wars section of Disney World in Florida; here is a look at the section in California’s Disneyland
‘He would play the song and play along with his bass while watching YouTube videos. It would be amazing if Justin saw this article and could reach out – it would be granting one of Dustin’s dying wishes and we would greatly appreciate it.’
The friend also called Dustin ‘a huge Star Wars fan’ so he wants to get him to the Star Wars section of Disney World.
‘We’re hoping we can find a way to arrange that,’ added Dan.
Better days: In 2002, Diamond posed during Celebrity Boxing 2 Weigh-In at KTLA Studios in Hollywood
This comes after former SBTB co-star Mario Lopez said he was ‘praying’ Dustin will beat cancer. The 47-year-old actor has taken to Instagram to voice his support for his friend.
Alongside some throwback photos with his former co-star, Mario – who played A.C. Slater on the sitcom – wrote: ‘I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he’ll overcome this.
‘Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God Bless.’
Another TV show: Diamond and Courtney Stodden on Celebrity Big Brother in Britain in 2013