Dennis Haskins, the actor generations of TV viewers knew as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 75.
Haskins died Sunday night, Sept. 27, at an assisted-living facility in Burbank, California, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited his longtime friend and caretaker Kimberly Snow. His longtime agent, Jay Schachter, also confirmed the actor’s death to multiple outlets.
A specific cause of death has not been publicly announced. However, Snow said Haskins had quietly battled Parkinson’s disease, while a tribute from Burbank’s former Dimples Karaoke Bar said he had been dealing with the condition privately for about eight years.
Schachter remembered Haskins not only for the character that made him famous, but for the way he treated the people who loved the show.
“Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more,” Schachter said, adding that Haskins had a deep affection for his fans and always made time for them. Schachter said Haskins had been his client and close friend for more than 20 years.
Haskins became a familiar face to millions of young viewers beginning in the late 1980s.
He first played school principal Richard Belding on the Disney Channel series “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which debuted in 1988. When the concept was reworked into NBC’s “Saved by the Bell,” Haskins stayed on as the often-exasperated but ultimately caring principal of Bayside High.
The role turned Haskins into one of the franchise’s most recognizable adult characters.
He appeared throughout the original “Saved by the Bell” run and later returned for “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” which aired from 1993 until 2000. He also appeared in franchise projects including “Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style,” “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” and “Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas.”
Haskins’ connection to the show lasted long after Bayside High closed its doors.
In 2015, he once again stepped into the role of Mr. Belding for a “Tonight Show” reunion sketch alongside Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen.
Outside the “Saved by the Bell” universe, Haskins built a lengthy acting career that stretched back to the early 1980s. His television credits included appearances on shows such as “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Mad Men,” “New Girl,” “Victorious” and “Hot in Cleveland.” He also appeared in the Seth MacFarlane comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 18, 1950, and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before eventually moving to Los Angeles and pursuing acting. His first credited screen work came in the early 1980s.
For many fans, though, Haskins will always be Mr. Belding — the Bayside principal forever trying to keep Zack Morris and his friends out of trouble.
Former co-star Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, also paid tribute following his death, remembering Haskins as a kind and loyal friend after nearly four decades of knowing him.
Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin.