Dustin Diamond Was Diagnosed with 'Brutal, Relentless' Cancer Just 3 Weeks Before His Death People 2/1/2021 Saved by the Bell actor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma. PEOPLE first confirmed that the star had been hospitalized in Florida with a mystery illness on Jan. 12 after experiencing pain all over his body, according to TMZ. "Dustin is in the hospital and the medical teams are doing tests to find out more," a rep for Diamond told PEOPLE at the time. "Everyone is hoping for a speedy recovery." Just two days later, on Jan. 14, Diamond's team confirmed his cancer diagnosis. "We can confirm that Dustin does have cancer. It's very serious, though we are still waiting for more details, which we will have shortly," his rep told PEOPLE at the time, adding, "He's in a lot of pain."