Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond passed away on Feb. 1 at the age of 44 after a short battle with cancer.

In January, Diamond was hospitalized in Florida after experiencing severe body aches. Tests soon confirmed the actor had stage 4 small cell carcinoma, and by the end of the month, he'd already undergone his first round of chemotherapy and was preparing for his second.

Diamond has played Samuel "Screech" Powers since the first Saved by the Bell series, which aired from 1989-1993. He also starred in the spinoff series Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, as well as the franchise films Hawaiian Style and Wedding in Las Vegas. However, he does not appear in the Peacock revival.

"I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he'll overcome this," fellow Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez shared shortly after Diamond's diagnosis. "Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God Bless."

Outside of the Saved by the Bell franchise, Diamond has appeared in Big Fat Liar, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Tom Goes to the Mayor, Robot Chicken, Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell and more.

Source: Variety