Dennis Haskins, ‘Saved by the Bell’ Star, Dies at 75
Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at 75. Haskins’ longtime agent, Jay Schachter, reportedly confirmed the news to…
Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at 75.
Haskins’ longtime agent, Jay Schachter, reportedly confirmed the news to Variety on Monday. A cause of death and further details have not been released at this time.
“It’s a tragic loss,” said Haskins in a statement, as reported by the outlet. “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. He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken.”
Haskins Played Principal Belding for Years
Haskins played Richard Belding from the beginning of “Saved by the Bell” through the end of the original series. The show ran from 1989 to 1992, with Haskins appearing in nearly 90 episodes.
His role as the principal of Bayside High put him in the middle of the chaos caused by Zack Morris, A.C. Slater and Screech Powers. Whenever the students pushed their antics too far, Belding was usually close behind with his familiar warning: “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”
Haskins starred alongside Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley and Mario Lopez.
His connection to the franchise extended beyond the original series. He also played Belding in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” the TV movie “Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style” and “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which aired in 1988 and served as a precursor to the main series.
A Career Beyond ‘Saved by the Bell’
Although Mr. Belding remained Haskins’ most recognizable role, the actor continued working in television and film throughout his career.
His credits included “Abstruse,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” “A Bennett Song Holiday,” “Trailer Park Shark” and “Jennifer Falls,” among other projects.
Haskins also remained connected to the fans who knew him from “Saved by the Bell.” That relationship was evident at Dimples Karaoke, a Burbank, Calif., bar where the actor was a regular.
Following news of his death, Dimples shared a tribute to Haskins on Instagram.
“Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed down about 11 years ago, and people still associate him with his beloved ‘second home.’ He was known to most as Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that.”
The bar also remembered Haskins for the time he spent with fans and the personal connections he made there.
“Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard.”
For viewers who grew up with “Saved by the Bell,” Haskins’ portrayal of Principal Belding became one of the defining parts of the series. His character was often the adult trying to keep Bayside High’s students under control, while Haskins himself became a familiar presence to fans long after the show ended.
At 75, Dennis Haskins leaves behind a television legacy closely tied to one of the most recognizable school comedies of its era.
