Actor Dustin Diamond, best known for playing Samuel "Screech" Powers on hit sitcom Saved By The Bell, has died aged 44.
The actor was diagnosed with cancer and hospitalised just three weeks ago.
His death was announced on Monday by Roger Paul, his representative, who said the cause of death was carcinoma.
Paul said: "He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago.
"In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution. Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.
"Dustin Diamond was a character in and of himself: an unpredictable spitfire who always left us shocked, but never left us bored.
"We please ask that you give room for privacy to our team and Mr. Diamond's family during this tragic time, as we grieve and remember the memories spent together. This loss is as much stinging as it is sudden."
Diamond was born in 1977 and began acting when he was just 10-years-old. He was cast as Screech, the geeky sidekick to popular kid Zack Morris on Saved By The Bell, in 1989.
Paying tribute Mario Lopez, who played AC Slater on the hit teenage comedy, said: "Dustin, you will be missed my man. The fragility of this life is something never to be taken for granted. Prayers for your family will continue on..."
Mark-Paul Gosselaar played Zack Morris described the actor as "a true comedic genius".
He said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. 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."
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. 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.
— Mark-Paul Gosselaar (@MPG) February 1, 2021
Tiffani Amber Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, also took to social media to share her sadness. She wrote: "I am deeply saddened by I the news of my old co-star @realdustindiamond passing. Life is extremely fragile and it's something we should never take for granted. God speed Dustin"
Diamond reprised the role of Screech in follow-up series Saved By The Bell: The New Class and Saved By The Bell: The College Years.
However, Diamond did not appear in the recent revival series which starred several of the show's original stars.
He was a contestant on the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, and was evicted on day 16.
Diamond encountered financial trouble during his career and filed for bankruptcy in 2001. He later launched an elaborate crowdfunding bid to save his house, selling T-shirts with his face on to raise $250,000.
The back of the T-shirts read "I paid 15.00 dollars to save Screeech's house". The extra 'e’ was reportedly added to avoid breaching copyright laws.
Diamond was sentenced to four months in jail after stabbing a man during a Christmas Day bar brawl in Wisconsin in 2014.
Mr Paul said "we are aware that Dustin is not considered reputable by most".
He added: "He’s had a history of mishaps, of unfortunate events. We want the public to understand that he was not intentionally malevolent. He -much like the rest of those who act out and behave poorly – had undergone a great deal of turmoil and heartache."
