Dustin Diamond Cause Of Death: 'Saved By The Bell' Actor Dies At 44

Dustin Diamond, who played Screech on the NBC sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” died Monday from Stage 4 lung cancer. He was 44.

Diamond was admitted to a Florida hospital on Jan. 15 after experiencing pain all over his body. A lump was later found in his throat. Diamond underwent chemotherapy and remained in the hospital.

“We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond’s passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma. He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago," read a statement from Diamond's agent 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.”

The actor starred on the long-running 1990's program “Saved by the Bell” and then starred on “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” for six seasons.

He declined to return to the Peacock reboot in 2020, which starred most of the original cast.

Diamond had appeared in small roles in several other sitcoms and films, as well as in reality shows.

Fellow "Saved by the Bell" castmembers on Monday paid their respects to Diamond.

"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius," actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar posted on Twitter. "My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Looking back at our time working together, I will miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade."

Diamond was born in San Jose, California. He married longtime girlfriend Jennifer Misner in 2009. The couple later separated and did not have children.​