‘Saved by the Bell’ star Dustin Diamond diagnosed with cancer

Dustin Diamond, known for playing Samuel “Screech� Powers in the hit 1990s sitcom “Saved by the Bell,� has been hospitalized with cancer.

A representative for Diamond said Wednesday morning that the actor was admitted to a hospital in his home state of Florida last week, but declined to provide further details regarding his condition at the time. On Thursday afternoon, his team confirmed via Facebook that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

According to Entertainment Weekly, citing a rep for Diamond, the cancer is Stage 4 and Diamond is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

“Dustin [will] disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made,� read Thursday’s Facebook update, which also included an address to which fans can send well wishes. “We ask everyone to respect Dustin’s privacy during this difficult time. All positivity and prayers are appreciated.�

In 1989, “Saved by the Bell� introduced Diamond to audiences as Screech, the geeky best friend of protagonist Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) at Bayside High. Diamond is not among the original cast members who recently returned for Peacock’s acclaimed 2020 reboot of the series, which featured Gosselaar, Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater), Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie Spano), Lark Voorhies (Lisa Turtle) and Tiffani Thiessen (Kelly Kapowski).

Since starring in the teen comedy, Diamond has appeared in several TV series, including multiple “Saved by the Bell� spinoffs. He also wrote a 2009 “Saved by the Bell� memoir, titled “Behind the Bell,� recounting his experience working on the beloved show.

In 2015, Diamond was convicted of two misdemeanors — carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct — linked to a barroom fight in Wisconsin.