Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond
Diamond on February 26, 2005
Born	Dustin Neil Diamond (1977-01-07) January 7, 1977 San Jose, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, comedian, musician
Years active	1987–present

Dustin Neil Diamond (born January 7, 1977)^[1] is an American actor, musician, director, and stand-up comedian best known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers in the television shows Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

Life and career

Diamond was born on January 7, 1977, in San Jose, California. His father taught digital electronics for a computer-processing firm and his mother was a computer operator for Pacific Bell.^[2] He attended Zion Lutheran School.^[3]

Diamond began acting as a child. He became known for playing nerdy Samuel "Screech" Powers on the television show Saved by the Bell, a role he played for close to thirteen years from its beginning as Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988–89) through its final incarnation, Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1994–2000). Continuing the series into college, Saved by the Bell: The College Years shows most of the cast transplanted into not only the same college, but also the same college dormitory, where Screech continued his typical misadventures. The College Years was canceled after one season. Diamond returned to Bayside High as Principal Belding's assistant in The New Class episodes, remaining with the show until its cancellation.

Sex tape

In 2006, Diamond directed and released his own sex tape Screeched – Saved by the Smell.^[4][5][6] In a December 2013 interview for the OWN Network he stated that he regretted doing the video, and that he actually hired a porn performer to play him in the sex scenes (which is why you never see his face during actual sex acts.)

Appearances after Saved by the Bell

Diamond began doing stand up comedy after the end of Saved by the Bell, and has toured on and off ever since. He has also been featured on a number of game and reality shows including The Weakest Link, and Celebrity Boxing 2. Diamond has also made several cameo appearances in films, including appearances in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star in 2003 and in Made in 2001. In 2009, he also played the part of "Alumnus Guy #1" in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love. In 2010, he had a supporting role in the sports comedy Tetherball: The Movie. In it Dustin plays the Foul Mouths' down-on-his-luck coach.

Celebrity Fit Club

In 2007 Diamond was a cast member of the fifth season of Celebrity Fit Club, during which he came off as aloof and uncooperative as his refusal to alter his dieting habits and aggressiveness toward his castmates caused much conflict. He particularly came into conflict with former American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, country singer Cledus T. Judd, rapper Da Brat, the program's host, Ant, and the program's trainer, former USMC sergeant Harvey Walden IV. Tensions between Diamond and the rest of the celebrities culminated in an open confrontation during which Diamond initially challenged Ant to "physical combat" and subsequently issued the challenge to Harvey Walden after Walden defended Ant.^[7]

Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling

Diamond appeared as a contestant on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling, broadcast on CMT. A huge fan and supporter of professional wrestling, Diamond was previously involved with Memphis Championship Wrestling in March and April 2000. He has had many wrestling involvements since then as a referee, manager and even a tag team partner.

Behind the Bell

In 2009, Diamond published an inside story of the show's cast and crew, from his point of view, titled Behind the Bell.^[8] The book paints an unflattering portrait of many of Diamond's colleagues and their alleged, sordid backstage behavior; some of these claims have been refuted by Diamond's colleagues and questioned by critics.^[9] Diamond also alleges, in the book, that he has had sex with 2,000 women, one of them NBC's VP of children's programming, Linda Mancuso, who was 18 years his senior.^[10][11] In December 2013 Diamond appeared on a "Where Are They Now" segment on the OWN Network in which he stated that the book was ghost written by an author who simply interviewed him and compiled the book from his answers. He claimed that many parts of the book, such as allegations of teen sex and drug use, were fabricated from very minor statements he made such as responding, when asked, "Yeah, there were a bunch of kids on set with hormones so...what do you think?"

Other work

He is also a musician and formed his own band called Salty The Pocketknife. Diamond played bass and wrote much of the music as well. Shortly after recording their first album, the band split up due to internal disagreements. Diamond has also appeared on truTV's The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest... as a commentator.

He appeared as a host at the 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos.^[12]

In August 2013, Diamond became a housemate on the twelfth series of Celebrity Big Brother. However he became the fourth housemate to be evicted on Day 16 losing to Abz Love, Bruce Jones, Courtney Stodden, Lauren Harries, Louie Spence and Vicky Entwistle.

Personal life

On an October 2012 interview, Diamond confirmed that he was married since 2009.^[13] He currently resides in Port Washington, Wisconsin.^[14]

Filmography

References

External links

• Dustin Diamond at the Internet Movie Database
• Dustin Diamond on Twitter
• Dustin Diamond audio interview with THECOMMENTARY.CA, May 2005
• Reviews of "Behind the Bell" from Amazon.com