Dustin Diamond (Screech) Didn’t Talk To 1 ‘Saved by the Bell’ Co-Star for Over 25 Years
Although Screech Powers (Dustin Diamond) and Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) were best friends on Saved by the Bell, their friendship did not continue off-screen. However, when the late celebrity died from stage 4 cancer, Gosselaar wrote heartfelt sentiments on social media. Why didn’t the two speak for over 25 years?
Dustin Diamond — Screech — had strained relationships with the ‘Saved by the Bell’ cast
When Saved by the Bell ended in 1993, Diamond, Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen continued working together in the spinoff, Saved by the Bell: The College Years. However, after the 1994 series ended, Diamond left Screech behind. There were rumors that the rest of the former castmates were not happy with him.
He filmed a sex tape in 2006 and then released a book in 2009, Behind the Bell. In Diamond’s book, he spoke about alleged drug use, sexual misconduct, and other behind the scenes information. However, the other actors pointed out that much of it was not true.
After Diamond received backlash from the book, he denied writing it and apologized. However, his explanation that he used a ghostwriter didn’t seem to help. Diamond wasn’t invited to a cast reunion in August 2009 for a photoshoot, and his image was edited out of a 1989 cast photo used in the magazine.
Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen reconnected with Diamond
When Diamond was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma in January 2021, both Mario Lopez and Tiffany-Amber Thiessen reached out to their former co-star.
“I connected with Dustin earlier this evening, and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he’ll overcome this,” Lopez wrote on Instagram. Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery.
Along with the caption, Lopez shared two photos of the co-stars. One picture was a throwback from Saved by the Bell, while the other was from a 2016 interview that the two did together. Lopez and Diamond didn’t share any hard feelings for each other.
When Diamond’s diagnosis became public in 2021, Thiessen also showed her support with an Instagram story.
Diamond and Gosselaar didn’t speak for 25 years
In an interview with Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the host asked Gosselaar when the last time he had talked to Diamond was. The actor’s response was surprising.
“1994,” Gosselaar told Cohen. “It’s the truth.”
While Gosselaar did not elaborate on why he didn’t speak to his former co-star for so long, many sources believe it was in part due to the book. However, he did share a heartfelt post on Twitter.
“My sincere condolences to his family and friends,” before continuing, “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.”
