Dustin Diamond (born January 7, 1977) is an American actor, musician, and stand-up comedian best known for his role as Samuel “Screech” Powers on the television show Saved by the Bell.

Diamond was born in San Jose, California and is the son of Mark Diamond and Roberta Perla. As a fifth grader, he landed the role of eighth-grader Samuel “Screech” Powers on the television sitcom Good Morning Miss Bliss (the “prototype” version of Saved by the Bell).

Diamond’s most memorable role to date is that of the nerdy 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.