Dustin Diamond, famously known for his role as Screech in the Saved by the Bell franchise, was an American actor, producer, director, and also a stand-up comedian. Born in San Jose, California, Diamond began his acting career as a child actor in The Prince of Life in 1987. He was 10 years old at that time.
Dustin Diamond received widespread popularity for playing the role of Samuel “Screech” Powers for close to 13 years. He also starred in several films and even produced some.
Dismally, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2021 at the mere age of 44.
This article talks about 15 Movies and TV shows that feature Dustin Diamond and carry forward his legacy.
- Saved by the Bell
Topping the list is none other than Saved by the Bell- Dustin Diamond’s most popular TV show. The first episode of this immensely admired sitcom aired in August 1989 and continued for almost 4 years till May 1993.
Dustin Diamond plays the role of Samuel “Screech” Powers in the show.
Saved by the Bell was known for its light-hearted comedy. But it was also vastly acclaimed for the many social issues that it adhered to. The show tackled the issues of drug abuse, women’s rights, homelessness, and death among several others.
- Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style
Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style is a spin-off film on the Saved by the Bell TV show. The film features the same cast as the original sitcom including Dustin Diamond.
The title is aptly suggestive of the location of the characters’ exploits as the majority of the film is set in Honolulu. It is a teen comedy like the show itself and is directed by Don Barnhart.
The movie was released on 27th November 1992.
- Saved by the Bell: College Years
Saved by the Bell: College Years is a sequel series to the original four-seasons long Saved by the Bell. The show picks up right from where Saved by the Bell left off. It presents the story of the main characters in their freshman year in college.
Just like the previous show, it is a teen comedy focusing on friendship, drama, romance, and growing up. College Years consists of only one season that was aired from May 1993 through February 1994.
- Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas
Another spin-off movie on the Saved by the Bell series, Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas was released on 7 October 1994. Like the previous film, it is chronologically accurate with the TV series and takes place after the events of College Years.
Although the movie revolves around Zack and Kelly’s wedding, Dustin Diamond as Screech has an important role to play and gets ample screen time.
Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas was directed by Jeff Melman and is rated 6.2 out of 10 on IMDb.
- Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Saved by the Bell: The New Class features mostly new characters and presents a different set of actors. However, Dustin Diamond returns for his role as Screech from the second season onwards.
Like the previous two shows, The New Class too belongs to the teen comedy genre and presents stories that resonate with the former series.
The New Class was the longest-running incarnation of the franchise consisting of 7 seasons and running from 1993 to 2000. The immense popularity of the sitcom also resulted in 10 novelizations.
- Good Morning, Miss Bliss
Good Morning, Miss Bliss was a one-season sitcom aired back in 1987, before the release of the first Saved by the Bell season. It acts as a prequel to Saved by the Bell by depicting Screech, played by Dustin Diamond and Zack in their childhood.
It was created by the same creator as Saved by the Bell, Sam Bobrick.
- Purple People Eater
One of the first films in Dustin Diamond’s filmography career, Purple People Eater is a sci-fi comedy released in 1988. Diamond appears in the film as a child actor, playing the role of Big Z.
It was directed by Linda Shayne and is based on Sheb Wooley’s 1958 novelty song of the same name. The film also stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, and Peggy Lipton.
- Jane White is Sick and Twisted
Jane White is Sick and Twisted was an independent comedy film released in 1992. The plot revolves around Jane Wild, a looney young woman who believes that life is a Television program. The film is directed by David Michael Latt and is rated a reputable 75% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dustin Diamond features in this film as Simone.
- Our Feature Presentation
Released in 2008, Our Feature Presentation is another independent comedy film from Dustin Diamond’s filmography career. It is written and directed by Gardner Loulan along with Joseph Brady who aided him with the writing.
Dustin Diamond plays the role of Mr. Renolds in the movie. The film also features Chad, Eschman, Diane Tasca, Ron Crawford, Liam Brady, Jeffrey Weissman, and Craig Lewis. IMDb rates Our Feature Presentation at 6.5.
- Hamlet A.D.D
An unconventional movie from Dustin Diamond’s acting career, Hamlet A.D.D is a fantasy sci-fi that reimagines Shakespeare’s timeless play, Hamlet. It presents a peculiar and comical re-imagination where the ghost of Hamlet’s father orders him to kill his uncle, and the easily distracted prince makes up a bunch of excuses to avoid doing it.
It was directed by Bobby Ciraldo and Andrew Swant. The film was released in 2014 and is rated 6.1 on IMDb.
Bernardo is the name of the character that Diamond plays in this film.
- Tetherball: The Movie
Directed by Chris Nickin, Tetherball: The Movie is a sports comedy that portrays 4 idlers working as telemarketers who find huge fame and fortune when they start their own tetherball league.
Dustin Diamond plays the character of Coach McAger in the film. It was released in 2011. The film holds a decent rating of 5.3 on IMDb.
- A Dog for Christmas
A Dog for Christmas is a holiday movie released in 2015 that showcases the story of a girl, Kassandra, and her dog. Fred is the name of the character that Dustin Diamond plays in this film.
It was directed by Joel Paul Reisig. IMDb rates the movie at a good 6.6.
- Captured Hearts
Another unconventional movie from Dustin Diamond’s acting career is Captured Hearts, a horror drama. The film is directed by Dylan Bank and was released in June 2013.
Dustin Diamond features in the movie as Oliver Jaffe.
The film is a gruesome tale of five sadistic sisters who hold the livelihood of a small town in their own hands.
- The Price of Life
The Price of Life is a 38-minute long short film of the sci-fi drama genre. Released all the way back in 1987, it was Dustin Diamond’s first film where he played the role of young Stiles as a child actor.
The Price of Life was directed by Stephen Tolkin and produced by Jana Sue Memel. The movie boasts a decent rating of 7.1 on IMDb.
- College Fright Night
A horror comedy in its own right, College Fright Night depicts typical college students Alex and Brock whose life change when they face a vampire army on their University campus. Dustin Diamond plays the important role of Professor Donnely in the film.
It was released in 2014 and is directed by Brad Leo Lyon.