Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond
Diamond in October 2012
Born	Dustin Neil Diamond (1977-01-07) January 7, 1977 (age 40) San Jose, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, comedian, musician
Years active	1987–present

Dustin Neil Diamond (born January 7, 1977) is an American actor, musician, director, and stand-up comedian widely known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers in the television shows Saved by the Bell; Good Morning, Miss Bliss; Saved by the Bell: The College Years; and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

Diamond was born on January 7, 1977, in San Jose, California. His father taught digital electronics for a computer-processing firm and his mother was a computer operator for Pacific Bell. He attended Zion Lutheran School. His father is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. His mother had English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. Diamond's maternal grandmother's family has lived in the American South for many generations.

Diamond began acting as a child. He became known for playing the nerdy and lovable Samuel "Screech" Powers on the television show Saved by the Bell, a role he played for close to thirteen years from its beginning as Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988–89) through its final incarnation, Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1994–2000). Continuing the series into college, Saved by the Bell: The College Years shows most of the cast transplanted into not only the same college, but also the same college dormitory, where Screech continued his typical misadventures. The College Years was canceled after one season. Diamond returned to Bayside High as Principal Belding's assistant in The New Class episodes, remaining with the show until its cancellation.

In 2006, Diamond directed and released his own sex tape, Screeched – Saved by the Smell. However, Diamond stated in an interview on "Where Are They Now?" of the Oprah Winfrey Network that he was not actually in the sex tape, rather "stunt double" had his likeness added onto it.