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- New docuseries episode spotlights Voorhies and her comeback
- Colleagues recall the shy star who shone on camera
- Career highlights and timeline
- Family accounts: signs, struggles, and diagnosis
- Medical perspective: understanding schizoaffective thought disorder
- Voorhies’ own words: work, treatment, and future plans
- Personal connections and legacy moments
- Where to watch and what to expect
Lisa Turtle is back in the conversation. Lark Voorhies, best known for the bubbly fashionista on Saved by the Bell, speaks at length about stepping away from stardom, her mental health journey, and a surprising desire to return to work. Her comments appear in a new episode of the Hollywood Demons docuseries and offer a rare, candid look at life after early fame.
New docuseries episode spotlights Voorhies and her comeback
The episode, titled “After The Bell,” examines the cast and crew who shaped Saved by the Bell. It profiles Lark Voorhies’ life after the sitcom, her challenges, and her recent public appearances. The installment airs Monday, May 4 at 9 p.m. on ID and streams on HBO Max.
What the episode reveals
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- The feature includes interviews with former cast members and family.
- It revisits Voorhies’ career and the gap years when she largely left public life.
- The program addresses her diagnosis and how she’s managing treatment.
Colleagues recall the shy star who shone on camera
Former colleagues describe Lark as quiet offscreen and animated when performing. Ed Alonzo, who worked with her, says he saw her recently at a memorial for producer Peter Engel and found her in good spirits. He remembers her as a reserved young actor who transformed under the lights.
- Ed Alonzo: observed Voorhies at the memorial and said she appeared steady.
- Dustin Diamond: Voorhies reportedly reached out to him before his death.
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar: dated Voorhies during the series’ run in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Career highlights and timeline
Lark Voorhies first became a household name as Lisa Turtle from 1989 to 1993. She later took roles on soap operas and sitcoms, and returned briefly for the 2020 Peacock revival.
- Saved by the Bell (1989–1993)
- Days of Our Lives
- The Bold and the Beautiful
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- Peacock revival cameo (2020)
Family accounts: signs, struggles, and diagnosis
Her mother, Tricia Voorhies, appears in the documentary and describes years of worry. She recalls episodes of anger, sudden departures from home, and moments that suggested Lark was in emotional turmoil.
Tricia explains the family first learned of a serious diagnosis around 2015. She says doctors initially suggested bipolar disorder, but a later evaluation listed a different condition.
Key family notes
- Tricia noticed mood swings and disruptive behavior during a seven-year period away from acting.
- She reports finding paperwork after her ex-husband’s death that suggested he had a personality disorder.
- Tricia says she had not shared that paperwork with Lark, and she believes the star may not have known those details.
Medical perspective: understanding schizoaffective thought disorder
Dr. Drew Pinsky contributes context in the episode. He outlines how symptoms often appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. Voorhies was 19 when she finished Saved by the Bell, an age when such disorders can first surface.
- Age of onset: commonly emerges between 18 and 22.
- Not the same as schizophrenia: Dr. Drew says it differs from classic schizophrenia.
- Course and impact: he emphasizes it is not necessarily progressive or permanently disabling.
Symptoms to watch for
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized speech and behavior
- Marked mood disturbances
Voorhies’ own words: work, treatment, and future plans
In the documentary, Lark stresses she is not retiring. She expresses optimism about returning to creative work and shows a readiness to engage with structured projects.
- Not retired: she says she looks forward to new roles.
- Embracing treatment: the film shows her accepting medical care and support.
- Open to opportunities: podcasting, TV, film, and convention appearances are mentioned as possible next steps.
Personal connections and legacy moments
The episode touches on personal ties from her Saved by the Bell era. Voorhies was one of the last cast members to contact Dustin Diamond before his death in 2021. She also had a relationship with co-star Mark-Paul Gosselaar during the original show’s run.
- She speaks fondly of friendships formed on set.
- Her desire to reconnect with audiences is a throughline of the documentary.
Where to watch and what to expect
“After The Bell” is part of Hollywood Demons and examines the aftermath of sudden fame. Expect interviews, family testimony, expert commentary, and archival footage. The episode airs on ID and is available to stream on HBO Max.
The piece places Lark Voorhies at the center of a broader story about childhood stardom, mental health, and the slow work of recovery. Her message to younger performers: keep going.
