Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dustin Diamond’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on February 1, 2021, Dustin Diamond, the American actor, musician, director, and stand-up comedian, had a net worth of approximately $300,000. His career, primarily remembered for his iconic role as Screech on “Saved by the Bell” and its various spin-offs, also included ventures into stand-up comedy and reality television.
Dustin Diamond’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dustin Neil Diamond was born on January 7, 1977, in San Jose, California. His upbringing was rooted in a technologically oriented family, with his father working as an instructor for a computer-processing firm and his mother as a computer operator for Pacific Bell. Dustin began his acting career at a young age, securing his breakthrough role in “Saved by the Bell” at the age of 11 in the fall of 1988. While information regarding his early income is unavailable, his involvement in the series marked the beginning of his professional acting career.
“Saved by the Bell” and Related Projects
Dustin Diamond’s claim to fame was his portrayal of Samuel “Screech” Powers in “Saved by the Bell” and its related spin-offs. The original series, initially titled “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” aired 13 episodes from 1988 to 1989. It then continued for 82 episodes from 1989 to 1993 as “Saved by the Bell.” Diamond also starred in “Saved by the Bell: The College Years,” which aired 19 episodes, and “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” where he appeared in 67 out of 143 episodes. His role in “The New Class” saw him as Principal Belding’s assistant at Bayside High. The specific salary details for Diamond’s role in each of these shows remain undisclosed, but it’s known that his character was pivotal to the series’ success and longevity.
Post-“Saved by the Bell” Career Ventures
Following the conclusion of the “Saved by the Bell” franchise, Dustin Diamond transitioned into stand-up comedy and participated in various reality shows. These included appearances on “The Weakest Link,” “Celebrity Boxing 2,” “Celebrity Fit Club,” “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling,” and “Celebrity Big Brother.” While on “Celebrity Fit Club,” he was involved in a physical altercation with several castmates, including Kimberley Locke, Cledus T. Judd, Da Brat, the show’s host, and the personal trainer Harvey Walden IV. The exact financial compensation he received for these reality show appearances isn’t publicly available, but these engagements likely contributed to his overall income.
Film Appearances and Other Media
Dustin Diamond also appeared in several films, including 2001’s “Made,” 2003’s “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” 2009’s “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love,” 2010’s “Tetherball: The Movie,” and 2014’s “Hamlet A.D.D.” These roles, while diverse, did not reach the same level of recognition as his role in “Saved by the Bell.” The specific earnings from these film appearances are not publicly documented.
“Behind the Bell” Controversy and Media Appearances
In 2009, Diamond published “Behind the Bell,” a tell-all book providing an insider’s perspective on the “Saved by the Bell” cast and crew. The book sparked controversy due to its unflattering portrayal of his former castmates, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar publicly disputing the book’s accuracy. The book also made claims of Diamond engaging in sexual activity with 2,000 women, including an NBC executive, Linda Mancuso, allegations that were later downplayed by Diamond in a 2013 interview. The financial success of the book is not publicly known, but it undoubtedly generated media attention and potentially impacted his earnings during that period.
Music Career and Salty The Pocketknife
Dustin Diamond formed the alternative metal band Salty The Pocketknife, where he played bass and wrote most of the music. The band dissolved shortly after recording their first album due to internal conflicts. The financial details related to the band’s earnings, album sales, and performances are not publicly available, but it is unlikely that this venture significantly contributed to his net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Dustin Diamond married Jennifer Misner in 2009, but they later separated. He was engaged to Amanda Schutz, a professional clown known as Loli Pop the Clown, prior to their arrests in 2014. Schutz’s role as a clown led to an appearance on “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Diamond also hosted the Gathering of the Juggalos, an annual festival for fans of the band Insane Clown Posse. The details of any financial arrangements or earnings related to these personal engagements are not known.
Legal Issues and Financial Troubles
In December 2014, Dustin Diamond was arrested following a barroom brawl in Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he allegedly stabbed another patron with a switchblade. Both Diamond and his fiancée faced disorderly conduct charges. Over the years, the State of Wisconsin filed Tax Warrants against Diamond totaling $82,156, and in 2014, he was found to owe $40,000 to the Electrical Construction Industry Board of Wisconsin. These legal and financial troubles likely contributed negatively to his overall net worth.
Sex Tape Controversy
A sex tape allegedly featuring Dustin Diamond, titled “Screeched – Saved by the Smell,” was released. However, Diamond claimed that a stunt double was used in the film and that his face was added in post-production. The financial implications of the sex tape, if any, are not publicly known.
Real Estate Ventures and Bankruptcy
Dustin Diamond experienced a number of unsuccessful real estate ventures after his time with “Saved by the Bell.” In 2001, Diamond filed for bankruptcy in California. On June 13, 2006, he appeared on “The Howard Stern Show” and solicited listeners to purchase a t-shirt for $15 to save his house from foreclosure, claiming he needed to raise $250,000. This turned out to be a publicity stunt. Diamond’s house was located in the Spinnaker West subdivision in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cape Cod-style home, built in 2003, had 2,700 square feet, four bedrooms, and three bathrooms on a .55-acre lot. Its estimated value was around $312,000. In July 2020, Diamond’s home faced foreclosure, with the property being sold “as is” as a rehab project due to extensive damage from a burst pipe. He originally purchased the home for $272,000. The house had been vacant for over a year, and the asking price was $280,000. These real estate issues significantly impacted his financial stability and contributed to his overall financial challenges, further decreasing his net worth.
Net Worth Summary
In summary, Dustin Diamond’s net worth at the time of his death in 2021 was estimated to be $300,000. His earnings primarily came from his role as Screech in “Saved by the Bell” and its spin-offs, along with smaller income streams from reality TV appearances, film roles, and other ventures. However, his financial struggles, legal issues, and real estate problems significantly impacted his overall net worth.
