Dustin Diamond Was Diagnosed with 'Brutal, Relentless' Cancer Just 3 Weeks Before His Death

Mar. 15, 2025

PEOPLE first confirmed that the star washospitalized in Florida with a mystery illnesson Jan. 12 after experiencing pain all over his body, according toTMZ.

“Dustin is in the hospital and the medical teams are doing tests to find out more,” a rep for Diamond told PEOPLE at the time. “Everyone is hoping for a speedy recovery.”

Just two days later, on Jan. 14, Diamond’s teamconfirmed his cancer diagnosis.

“We can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. It’s very serious, though we are still waiting for more details, which we will have shortly,” his rep told PEOPLE at the time, adding, “He’s in a lot of pain.”

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Diamond’s rep toldEntertainment Weeklythat the actor was “undergoing chemo” and would remain at the hospital for “at least another week.” The rep said Diamond also had “shingles, so he’s been in a lot of pain.”

“By next week, we’ll have a much better understanding of the severity of his condition and what treatments he will need so that he’s comfortable,” the rep toldEW, adding that when Diamond first arrived at the hospital, he was “was fading in and out, feeling sleepy and tired.”

On Jan. 21, Diamond’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE thathe had started chemotherapyspecifically for stage 4 small cell carcinoma, a cancer that commonly occurs in the lungs but can also manifest in the prostate or gastrointestinal tract.

A second round of chemotherapy was being scheduled, and Diamond was also set to begin physical therapy in the near future, according toNBC News. “Dustin is looking forward to spending more time with his girlfriend, playing his bass guitar/video games, as well as making videos for his fans on social media,” Diamond’s rep told the outlet at the time.

RELATED VIDEO: Mario Lopez, Tiffani Thiessen, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and More Stars Pay Tribute to Dustin Diamond

Less than two weeks later, Diamond’s repconfirmed the tragic news of his deathin a statement to PEOPLE: “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. 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 statement acknowledged Diamond’s “history of mishaps” over the years but attributed the actor’s actions to his own history of “turmoil and heartache.”

“In actuality, Dustin was a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make others laugh,” the statement read. “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.”

It concluded, “Dustin Diamond was a character in and of himself: an unpredictable spitfire who always left us shocked, but never left us bored. We are thankful he trusted us enough to share his genuine, authentic self with our team. We wish you knew him in the way that we did. We please ask that you give room for privacy to our team and Mr. Diamond’s family during this tragic time, as we grieve and remember the memories spent together. This loss is as much stinging as it is sudden.”

Engel also referred to Diamond — who played thegoofy-yet-lovable Samuel “Screech” Powerson the series and its various iterations — as “a comedy genius.”

He added, “I loved him, and he will forever be Screech to me. That character will live on forever.”

Everett.

Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski on the NBC series, spoke out onInstagram.

“Dustin, you will be missed my man,” wroteMario Lopezon Instagram,sharing photosfrom the duo’s time on the show and added, “The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on.”

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who played Zack Morris on the show, said in a statement to PEOPLE, “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. 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.”

source: people.com