Home · Entertainment · Sep 28 archive
Dennis Haskins, 'Saved by the Bell's Mr. Belding, Dies at 75
Confirmed
In Short: Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for his role as Principal Richard Belding in 'Saved by the Bell,' has died at the age of 75.
Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for his role as Principal Richard Belding in 'Saved by the Bell,' died at the age of 75, his agent Jay Schachter confirmed to TMZ.
Haskins, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1950, first portrayed Belding in the Disney Channel series 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' in 1988, before the show evolved into 'Saved by the Bell' on NBC.
He appeared in nearly 90 episodes of the flagship series, which ran from 1989 to 1992, and continued the role in 'Saved by the Bell: The College Years' and 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
Haskins also made a guest appearance on 'The Tonight Show' in 2015, reuniting with his 'Saved by the Bell' castmates.
In addition to his iconic role, Haskins appeared in various other television shows and films, including 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and 'A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Dimples Karaoke, a Chattanooga venue where Haskins was a longtime regular, shared that he had been dealing with Parkinson's disease and other health issues for about eight years.
Haskins' agent described him as someone who 'loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans' and always made time for them.
Haskins' friend and caretaker confirmed his passing to WTVC, a Chattanooga station.
The actor's death marks the end of a career that spanned decades and left a lasting impact on fans of 'Saved by the Bell.
What this adds
Haskins' death was confirmed by multiple outlets, including TMZ, Variety, and local news station NewsChannel 9.
His agent, Jay Schachter, represented Haskins for over 20 years.
Haskins reportedly auditioned for the role of Principal Belding seven times before earning the part.
Background
Saved by the Bell is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series was produced by Peter Engel Productions and NBC Productions and aired from August 20, 1989 to May 22, 1993.
What's confirmed
- His agent, Jay Schachter, told TMZ it was “a tragic loss,” describing Haskins as someone who “loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans” and always made time for them An official cause of death has not been released by authorities or the family.
- Dennis Haskins, the actor best known as Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, died at age 75.
- Belding in the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1988–1989) before the show evolved into Saved by the Bell on NBC (1989–1993).
- He went on to portray Belding throughout all four seasons of Saved by the Bell, which ran from 1989 to 1993, and later reprised the role on the spin-off Saved by the Bell: The New Class from 1993 to 2000.
- TMZ confirmed the news with Haskins’ agent, Jay Schachter, who shared: “It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans,” Schachter said.
What's still developing
- The statement concluded that “late last night, that journey ended for him.” Born November 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins became a familiar face to millions as the patient, catchphrase-ready principal of Bayside High.
- When the original Disney Channel comedy was canceled after one season and retooled for NBC as Saved by the Bell, Haskins was one of the few cast members to make the transition.
- In 2015, he reunited alongside many of the original Saved By the Bell cast members for a sketch on The Tonight Show.
- “He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people,” an Instagram post from Dimples Karaoke where Haskins frequented said.
- One of Haskins’ last television appearances came in 2015 when he reunited with his Saved by the Bell castmates for a skit on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
- Schachter, who represented Haskins for more than 20 years, called the loss tragic and said fans had loved Mr. Belding while those who knew Dennis Haskins personally loved him even more, according to Variety.
- Haskins reprised Belding in "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" and the TV movie "Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style," staying attached to the role through 2000, according to wusa9.com.
- Dimples Karaoke, which closed roughly 11 years ago, said in an Instagram tribute that Haskins had been a fixture there long after many assumed he owned the place.
- Belding's catchphrase, delivered while chasing down Zack Morris and his classmates, became a defining line of the show.