Dustin Diamond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dustin Diamond
Diamond in October 2012
Born	Dustin Neil Diamond (1977-01-07)January 7, 1977 San Jose, California, U.S.
Died	February 1, 2021(2021-02-01) (aged 44) Cape Coral, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, director, comedian
Years active	1987–2021
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Misner ​ ​ (m. 2009; sep. 2013)​

Dustin Neil Diamond (born January 7, 1977 – died February 1, 2021) was an American actor and comedian. He was most famous for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers in the Saved by the Bell TV shows.

Early Life

Dustin Diamond was born in San Jose, California. His father taught digital electronics. His mother worked with computers. Dustin was Jewish and went to Zion Lutheran School.

Acting Career

Dustin started acting when he was a child. He became well-known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers. He played Screech for almost 13 years!

His journey as Screech began with Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988–89). Then came the very popular Saved by the Bell (1989–1993). After high school, the characters went to college in Saved by the Bell: The College Years. Screech continued his funny adventures there. This show lasted for one season. Dustin then returned to Bayside High in Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1994–2000). He played Principal Belding's assistant until the show ended.

After Saved by the Bell

After Saved by the Bell finished, Dustin Diamond started doing stand-up comedy. He traveled around performing his comedy shows. He also appeared on many game shows and reality TV shows. These included The Weakest Link and Celebrity Boxing 2.

Dustin also had small parts in movies. He was in Made (2001) and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003). In 2007, he was on Celebrity Fit Club. This show helped celebrities get in shape.

Later, Dustin acted in other films. He was "Alumnus Guy #1" in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009). He also had a role in the sports comedy Tetherball: The Movie (2010). In 2014, he played Bernardo in Hamlet A.D.D., a science fiction comedy.

Other Work

Dustin Diamond was also a musician. He formed an alternative metal band called Salty The Pocketknife. Dustin played bass guitar and wrote many of their songs. The band broke up after recording their first album.

He also appeared as a commentator on truTV's The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest.... In August 2013, Dustin was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. He was the fourth person to leave the house.

Dustin was also a spokesperson for an insurance company called Insurance King. In their commercials, he often made funny references to Saved by the Bell.

Professional Wrestling

Dustin Diamond was a big fan of professional wrestling. He even appeared in some wrestling events! In April 2000, he was part of a skit at Memphis Championship Wrestling.

In 2002, he appeared on an NWA-TNA show. He was called Screech and challenged the show's bellkeeper to a boxing match. Screech won by knockout very quickly!

In 2008, Dustin was a contestant on Hulk Hogan's Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling. This show was about celebrities learning to wrestle. He also worked as a special guest referee for a wrestling match in 2010.

Dustin also teamed up with other wrestlers in tag team matches. He wrestled in Illinois and Ontario in 2011. His last wrestling match was in New York in 2012.

Personal Life

In 2001, Dustin Diamond faced financial difficulties. He moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin, in 2003. In 2006, he asked fans to buy a T-shirt to help him save his house. He hoped to raise money to avoid losing his home. Dustin moved to Florida in 2018.

He was married to Jennifer Misner in 2009. They separated in 2013. They did not have any children.

Illness and Death

In early January 2021, Dustin Diamond became very sick. He was diagnosed with a serious type of lung cancer. He started treatment in Cape Coral, Florida. Sadly, he passed away from the disease on February 1, 2021. He was 44 years old.

NASCAR Tribute

After Dustin's death, his friend Dan Block, who founded Insurance King, wanted to honor him. He worked with Josh Bilicki, a NASCAR driver. Bilicki's #52 Rick Ware Racing Ford car ran a special tribute design for Dustin. The car finished 18th in a race called the 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard. Dan Block said that Dustin was a good friend to those who treated him like a person, not just his famous character.

Bilicki's tribute car to Diamond. On the firesuit, it reads "Dustin N. Diamond 1977-2021".

Filmography