Dustin Diamond and Neil Diamond are both well-known celebrities who share a common surname. But are they related by blood or by coincidence? Many fans have wondered about this question, especially after the recent death of Dustin Diamond, who played Screech on the popular sitcom Saved by the Bell. In this article, we will explore the facts and myths behind the Diamond family connection.
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Dustin Diamond’s Early Life and Career
Dustin Neil Diamond was born on January 7, 1977, in San Jose, California. His parents were Jaimee and Mark Diamond, who were both Jewish immigrants from Poland. His father taught digital electronics for a computer processing firm, and his mother was a computer operator for Pacific Bell. Dustin had a brother named Ryan Diamond.
Dustin began acting as a child and became famous for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers on the television show Saved by the Bell, a role he played for close to thirteen years from 1988 to 2000. He also appeared in several spin-offs and movies based on the show, such as Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
Dustin also pursued a career in stand-up comedy and appeared on various game and reality shows, such as The Weakest Link and Celebrity Fit Club. He also made cameo appearances in movies like Made and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He published a controversial memoir in 2009 called Behind the Bell, in which he shared backstage stories about his co-stars and the show.
Dustin had a troubled personal life and faced several legal issues. He was arrested in 2014 for stabbing a man at a bar in Wisconsin and served three months in jail. He was also sued by his former girlfriend for releasing a sex tape without her consent. He married Jennifer Misner in 2009, but they separated in 2013.
Dustin was diagnosed with stage-4 small-cell lung carcinoma in January 2021 and died from the disease on February 1, 2021, at the age of 44.
Neil Diamond’s Early Life and Career
Neil Leslie Diamond was born on January 24, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents were Rose and Akeeba “Kieve” Diamond, who were also Jewish immigrants from Poland. His father was a dry-goods merchant. Neil grew up in several homes in Brooklyn and attended Erasmus Hall High School, where he was classmates with Barbra Streisand. He also attended Abraham Lincoln High School and was a member of the fencing team.
Neil received his first guitar for his 16th birthday and began writing songs as a teenager. He attended New York University on a fencing scholarship but dropped out to pursue a career in music. He started as a songwriter for other artists, such as The Monkees and Elvis Presley, before launching his own solo career in the late 1960s.
Neil became one of the most successful singers of all time, selling more than 130 million records worldwide. He had ten number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts, such as “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “Song Sung Blue”, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”, and “America”. He also wrote songs for movies like The Jazz Singer (in which he also starred), Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Neil was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. He received several awards and honors, such as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.
Neil has been married three times and has four children. His first wife was Jaye Posner, whom he married in 1963 and divorced in 1969. His second wife was Marcia Murphey, whom he married in 1969 and divorced in 1996. His third wife is Katie McNeil, whom he married in 2012.
Are Dustin Diamond and Neil Diamond Related?
The short answer is no. Dustin Diamond and Neil Diamond are not related by blood or by marriage. They have different parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, and children. They do not share any common ancestors or relatives that can be traced back to their origins in Poland.
However, there is one interesting connection between them: Dustin’s middle name is Neil, which was given to him after Neil Diamond. According to Dustin’s mother Jaimee, she was a big fan of Neil’s music and named her son after him. She even met Neil once at a concert and told him about it.
So while Dustin Diamond and Neil Diamond are not related by family ties, they are related by fandom and admiration. Dustin’s mother Jaimee was inspired by Neil’s songs and talent, and Dustin grew up listening to Neil’s music and following his career. Dustin once said in an interview that he was proud to share his name with Neil and that he considered him a role model.
Conclusion
Dustin Diamond and Neil Diamond are two famous celebrities who have the same surname but are not related by blood or by marriage. They have different backgrounds, careers, and personal lives, but they have one thing in common: a love for music. Dustin’s mother Jaimee named her son after Neil, who was her favorite singer. Dustin admired Neil and his achievements and considered him a role model. They are both examples of how music can inspire and connect people across generations and cultures.
