Just hours before news of actor Dustin Diamond's death broke, his friend Dan Block told The
Sun that the Saved by the Bell star had anywhere from a few weeks to a few years left to live,
but that they hoped he would beat the odds.
Sadly, Diamond died soon after the interview was published.
Block also revealed a few other touching details about his friend, which now seem all the more
tragic, including Diamond's final wishes.
Diamond, who cemented his television legacy as Samuel "Screech" Powers on the '90s sitcom
Saved by the Bell, confirmed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma
in January 2021, which ultimately caused his death on February 1st, 2021, at age 44.
Before getting his diagnosis, Diamond was starting a band, Block said, in tribute to
one of his favorite bands, Tool.
Block said Diamond had already begun learning to play several Tool songs.
Block said,
"He would play the song and play along with his bass while watching YouTube videos."
And, while Diamond knew his case was likely terminal, the actor still hoped to achieve
two more milestones before he died.Before he died, Block spoke to The Sun about what
the former actor would have liked to do.
Saying,
"There are two things Dustin asked for.
The ability to talk to [Tool bassist] Justin Chancellor about music and to be able to visit
Disney World to see Star Wars Galaxy Edge."
Block said he hoped by some chance that Chancellor might see the interview and be moved to give
Diamond a call.
Unfortunately, the chance never came.
Block, who was with the actor when he died, added.
"We thought he had five months or something."
Diamond played his Saved by the Bell character Screech for 13 years before the show and its
spin-offs were eventually canceled.
Since then, the actor has been largely absent from the public eye, aside from occasional
cameos or stints on reality TV, including Celebrity Big Brother.
Though his relationships with his former castmates were sometimes contentious , many of them
offered heartfelt condolences upon hearing the news.
Mario Lopze wrote on Twitter,
"Dustin, you will be missed my man."
Mark Paul Gosselar also offered condolences to Diamond's family and friends, saying,
"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."
We, too, wish his friends and family well during this difficult time.
Actor Dustin Diamond's friend Dan Block also revealed the reason Diamond didn't seek treatment
sooner.
The Saved by the Bell star was reportedly taken to a Florida hospital in January after
suffering from pain all over his body before his diagnosis.
Block told The Sun that Diamond even had a huge lump on his neck but that he didn't get
medical help earlier because he was afraid that people would take photos and post them
online.
He was worried that people would then make fun of him for it.
Block explained,
"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."
It seems that Diamond was all too used to the online criticism.
Block added,
"He's subject to public ridicule all the time and it sucks.
People need to know he is a human."
Before Diamond's death, Block was even trying to show him that he did have the support of
many by accepting cards and letters from fans to give to him.
"I know a lot of people do love Dustin, but he doesn't want to look online at the moment
because he sees all the negative comments."
Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond may have been loved as a teen when playing Screech
in the hit '90s show but was quite controversial later in his career.
According to TMZ, Diamond directed his own adult film before later admitting to Oprah
that he used a stunt double, and was super "confrontational with numerous cast members"
when appearing on reality shows like Celebrity Boxing 2 and Celebrity Fit Club.
Yet, Diamond's rep wanted to make it clear in the statement released, via People, on
the actor's death that despite "a history of mishaps, of unfortunate events," Diamond
"was not intentionally malevolent."
The statement went to explain that
"He - much like the rest of those who act out and behave poorly - had undergone a great
deal of turmoil and heartache.
His actions, though rebukeable , stemmed from loss and the lack of knowledge on how to process
that pain properly."
His rep also wanted to clarify that Diamond was more than what was portrayed in the media.
"In actuality, Dustin was a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make
others laugh.
He was able to sense and feel other peoples' emotions to such a length that he was able
to feel them too - a strength and a flaw, all in one."
While Diamond may not have been able to get his final wishes, hopefully he finds peace
in knowing that his true self was revealed.
He was beloved by many, including his team who also wrote in their statement,
"We wish you knew him in the way that we did."