DUSTIN Diamond is being honored by stars following his shocking death as his former costars paid tribute to the late actor.
The Saved By The Bell alum passed away at 44 after a battle with cancer.
Dustin Diamond is dead at 44, as his former costars and other celebrities paid tribute to himCredit: AP:Associated Press
Plenty of reactions poured in after TMZ revealed the unexpected death, as former costar Mario Lopez was quick to pay his respects.
He tweeted: “Dustin, you will be missed my man. The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted.
“Prayers for your family will continue on”
Alongside the tweet was a photo with Dustin, as the pals smiled during happier times.
Mario continued to pay tribute to Dustin during Monday’s episode of Access Hollywood.
Mario Lopez was quick to share some kind words about his friend
During the live episode, Mario said: It is with a heavy heart that I announce my friend and Saved by the Bell costar Dustin Diamond passed away this morning at the age of 44 from stage IV cancer.
He was like a little brother to me, we always remained in contact over the years. I actually just spoke with him a couple of weeks ago after he got his diagnosis. Even then, he was full of energy and he was so optimistic. Life is just so fragile and not to be taken for granted. Our prayers are with Dustins family and his friends.
Dustin’s other ex-costar Mark-Paul Gosselaar also paid tribute as he added: “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.”
Mark-Paul Gosselaar remembered Dustin as a ‘comedic genius’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
‘I will miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce,’ he addedCredit: Twitter
Mark, Dustin, and Mario pose as their charactersCredit: Cover Images
Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski on the popular sitcom, wrote: “I am deeply saddened by I the news of my old co-star @realdustindiamond passing.
“Life is extremely fragile and its something we should never take for granted. God speed Dustin.”
Tiffani Thiessen also tweeted about the late actorCredit: Getty Images
‘Life is extremely fragile,’ she wroteCredit: Twitter
Tiffany, who played Kelly Kapowski on the popular sitcom, puts her arm around Dustin in 1989Credit: Alpha Press
Previously, Lark Voorhies – who played Lisa Turtle, commented on Dustin during his cancer battle and wrote: “Id like to take the time to send special love and special best wishes to Dustin Diamond, who is one of my dearest friends.
“Dustin, all the many in your close circle who know you to be the great person that you are, are truly pulling for you and praying for the best outcome.”
Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle on the show, previously called Dustin ‘one of my dearest friends’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Tori Spelling, who appeared as Dustin’s love interest Violet on Saved By the Bell for multiple episodes, paid tribute to their star on Instagram.
Alongside a black and white photo of them on the show, the 47-year-old wrote: “My 1st onscreen love Dustin Diamond got his Angel wings today…
“Before there was David and Donna there was Screech and Violet. Dustin was my first on-screen kiss. He welcomed me with open arms onto the set of Saved By the Bell. As one can imagine being the newbie on a hit show was overwhelming for a 14-year-old girl. He not only showed me around but made sure I was always ok. Such a young gentleman. He was kind, smart, and always making everyone laugh. He was a great scene partner. He was a really good guy.”
Tori concluded: “Im sad after the show we never had much contact aside from occasionally running into each other at events. Im glad hes out of pain. Hes an icon to me professionally and personally. RIP Samuel love, your Violet ”
Fellow comedian Tom Green also responded to the death and said: “Rest In Peace to Dustin Diamond who passed away at 44 After Battle with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.”
Loni Love, best known recently from daytime talk show The Real, was just as thrown off as everyone by the actor’s passing as she tweeted: “Dustin Diamond you really were a diamond who gave the world one of the most lovable tv characters.
Tom Green also chimed inCredit: Twitter
Fellow Comedian Loni Love called the late star a ‘diamond’Credit: Twitter
“Thank you for making my childhood a little more funnier.. rest now. Condolences to his family.”
Real Housewives Of New York alum Bethenny Frankel shared a throwback with Dustin on her Instagram and wrote: “Very sad news he hasnt had an easy road.
Real Housewives Of New York alum Bethenny Frankel wished ‘peace’ for DustinCredit: Instagram
“I wish for peace for him and for his family.”
Henry Zebrowski, who previously worked with Dustin wrote, “Dustin Diamond worked on @Yourprettyface and hung out with my sister and her husband alllll day.
“He stayed long after he was wrapped because they were such huge fans and he was human and funny the whole time
Dustin as Samuel ‘Screech’ PowersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dustin and Mark share a sceneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“He was a pro and happy to be being stupid on set with all of us, its a shame and a sad thing to see a person die so young.”
Wendy Williams tweeted: “Our hearts go out to the family, friends and fans of actor #DustinDiamond who passed away today at the age of 44 after a short battle with cancer.”
Tracey Wigfield, the writer behind the Peacock revival series, shared a memorable moment featuring Dustin as ScreechCredit: Instagram
Tracey Wigfield, the writer behind the Peacock revival series which Dustin was not a part of, shared a photo of the star as his character Samuel “Screech” Powers.
Peter Engel, the show’s executive producer, revealed to Us Weekly that he last spoke to Dustin in the early 2000s but will always remember him for being a “comedy genius.”
Dustin with some of his costars in 1992Credit: Alpha Press
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s a sad, sad day,” he continued, as he recalled: “I almost ruined the Hawaii episodes. We’re shooting inside the hotel in Santa Monica and I kept ruining the scene because would make me laugh so much.
“I ruined all the scenes in the Hawaii movie and Las Vegas movie. He had me laughing for 11 years and I’m laughing now remembering. It makes me feel better.”
Dustin poses alongside his costarsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dustin’s close friend Dan Block confirmed the tragic news on Monday.
Dan, who flew in to be by his bedside this morning, told The Sun: “We thought he had five months or something.
“He was getting ready to go into the hospice today.
“I was there, by his bed. He didn’t say anything. He wasn’t in a position to talk. He was laboring to breathe really bad. We’re all so shocked.”
The cast pose for a season 3 promo photoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The news comes just hours after The Sun reported that Dustin’s illness was terminal.
The star, who found out he had stage four mall-cell carcinoma cancer last month, had been told he had anything from a few weeks to a year or two left although his friends were hoping he “outlived the odds.”
Dustin had told pals his last wishes were to meet his idol Justin Chancellor, the British bassist from heavy metal band Tool, and visit the Star Wars exhibit at Disney World, Florida.
Tragically Justin never got to fulfill his final wish.
Dan said:”I knew if we were going to pull off a miracle, we had to do it quickly but sadly we weren’t quick enough.”
Dustin, who previously dated Amanda Schutz, is survived by his ex-wife, Jennifer Misner.
Dustin Diamond has cancer and was too afraid to seek treatment earlier in case people made fun of him, pal says