Mario Lopez shares emotional tribute to Dustin Diamond: ‘He was like a little brother to me’
Mario Lopez remembered his buddy and one-time Saved By the Bell co-star Dustin Diamond on Monday’s Access Hollywood.
Just hours after information broke that Diamond died from stage IV most cancers, Lopez reported the information, then added an emotional tribute, saying, “He was like a little brother to me. We always remained in contact over the years, and 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 optimistic.”
Lopez continued, “Life is just so fragile and not to be taken for granted. Our prayers are with Dustin’s family and his friends.”
He shared a comparable sentiment on social media.
Diamond died on Monday, simply over a week after completing his first round of chemotherapy following a stage IV lung diagnosis. He had first been hospitalized over the weekend of Jan. 9 with a giant lump on his throat, he rep mentioned. Tests confirmed he had lung most cancers and that it had metastasized.
Diamond performed Samuel “Screech” Powers, the nerdy pal of good-looking Zack Morris, performed by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, within the unique Saved by the Bell, which was must-see TV within the early ‘90s. He reprised the role in two spinoffs, Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, as two TV movies. However, his personal struggles alienated him from the rest of the cast at times, and Diamond was not invited to join them on the Peacock streaming service reboot, which was recently picked up for a second season.
However, they are remembering the good times amid the loss. Gosselaar called Diamond “a true comedic genius” and said he’ll “miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade.”
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. My honest condolences to his household and associates. Looking again at our time working collectively, I’ll miss these uncooked, good sparks that solely he was ready to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade.
— Mark-Paul Gosselaar (@MPG) February 1, 2021
Tiffani Thiessen, the present’s Kelly, was “deeply saddened by the news,” including, “life is extremely fragile…”
Elizabeth Berkley, who performs Jessie, wrote that she’s “grateful to have gotten to create with Dustin when we were at the beginning of our dreams coming true. I will hold onto those sweet memories and the laughs we shared. He was a truly gifted talent.”
Kiersten Warren, from SBTB: The College Years and SBTB: Wedding in Vegas, wrote, “Being unique is way better than being perfect. There will never be another Dustin Diamond.”
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