Dennis Haskins, Saved by the Bell's Principal Belding, Dies
Dennis Haskins, the actor who portrayed the beloved principal Richard Belding on the teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, has died at age 75.
Dennis Haskins, best known as Principal Richard Belding from the American teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, has died at age 75. His agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed the death in a statement, though the cause was not disclosed. Accounts differ on the precise timing, with reports indicating his death occurred either late on Sunday or on a Saturday.
Schachter remembered his client and friend of over twenty years. "It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr Belding, and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more," he said. The agent added that Haskins was a great person who absolutely loved his fans and always made time for them.
Career and cultural impact
Haskins first played the character of Belding in Disney’s 1989 show Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which aired for one season before being retooled. NBC later turned it into Saved by the Bell, which aired from 1989 to 1993 and achieved cult status among a generation. The show, set at the fictional Bayside High, centered on high school students grappling with growing up. Belding’s memorable catchphrase was, "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?"
He played Principal Richard Belding for more than a decade across the franchise. This included the original series, the spin-off Saved by the Bell: The College Years in 1993, and the long-running Saved by the Bell: The New Class from 1993 to 2000. He also appeared in several television films.
| Show/Film | Year(s) | Role/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Good Morning, Miss Bliss | 1989 | First appearance as Belding |
| Saved by the Bell | 1989-1993 | Principal Richard Belding |
| Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style | 1992 | Television film |
| Saved by the Bell: The College Years | 1993 | Spin-off series |
| Saved by the Bell: The New Class | 1993-2000 | Reprised Principal Belding |
| Saved by the Bell: Wedding In Las Vegas | 1994 | Television film |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2015 | Sketch as Principal Belding |
After his time at Bayside, Haskins appeared in numerous other television shows and films. His credits include Mad Men, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Hot in Cleveland, and Seth MacFarlane’s 2014 film A Million Ways to Die in the West. He co-starred in the original series with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, and Dustin Diamond.
Tributes from co-stars and community
Co-star Lark Voorhies, who portrayed Lisa Turtle, reacted to his death on Instagram. She shared a heartfelt remembrance of their long friendship. Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life, Voorhies said, adding that losing him hurt so deeply.
Personal life and legacy beyond acting
Beyond acting, Haskins was a familiar face at Dimples Karaoke, a now-closed bar in Burbank, California. The establishment posted a tribute to him on Instagram, mourning a regular patron. About eight years ago, Haskins fell ill but did not publicly discuss his condition; he battled Parkinson’s disease.
He also took pride in his academic achievements. A former basketball player for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Haskins completed a bachelor of arts degree in theater from the same university in 2015. He had been named a UTC Distinguished Alumni in 2000. In a statement on the university website at the time of his graduation, he expressed great pride in finally earning his degree.
His agent, Jay Schachter, said he will miss him terribly and reiterated that Haskins always made time for his fans.
