‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Passes Away At 75

Dennis Haskins, the veteran actor best known to generations of television viewers as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at 75.

Haskins died Sunday in Burbank, California. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

His agent, Jay Schachter, remembered him as a beloved performer who never lost his appreciation for the fans who made him famous.

“It’s a tragic loss,” his agent Jay Schachter said in a statement. “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.”

Haskins’ friend and caretaker, Kimberly Snow, said the actor had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago and had been living in an assisted care facility.

His death prompted an emotional tribute from longtime “Saved by the Bell” co-star Lark Voorhies, who said Haskins had remained an important part of her life for decades.

“Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life, which makes losing him hurt so deeply. We shared so much history together from our earliest days, and through it all, he remained a fabulous person, a loyal friend, and someone with such a kind, gentle heart.”

Voorhies added that Haskins would “always hold a special place in my heart,” and said she would “miss his warmth and laughter more than words can say.”

Dennis Haskins, who is best known for his role on the hit sitcom “Saved By The Bell,” has died at 75. @LaraSpencer reports. pic.twitter.com/EcnVyJkRJ5

— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 29, 2026

Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1950 and built a long television career before becoming forever tied to the halls of Bayside High.

Early appearances included roles on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Magnum, P.I.” and “The Twilight Zone.”

He first stepped into the role of Principal Belding on the Disney Channel series “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which aired from 1988 to 1989.

After the show was reworked into NBC’s “Saved by the Bell,” Haskins continued as Belding and became one of the sitcom’s most recognizable figures during its run from 1989 to 1993.

The character became famous for his unmistakable catchphrase, “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”

Haskins later returned to the role in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” and in the television movies “Hawaiian Style” and “Wedding in Las Vegas.”

He made one final appearance as Principal Belding in 2015 during a “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” sketch that reunited several members of the original cast, including Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen.

Beyond Bayside, Haskins continued working steadily in television, appearing in shows including “The West Wing,” “Mad Men,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “New Girl” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

He also appeared in music videos and remained a familiar face on the convention and fan-event circuit, where he continued embracing the role that made him a household name.

“Saved by the Bell” went on to launch the careers of several young cast members, including Gosselaar, Lopez, Berkley and Thiessen.

A Peacock reboot brought several of those stars back in 2020, though Haskins did not appear in the revival.

His death marks another loss for the original show’s cast following the 2021 death of Dustin Diamond, who played Samuel “Screech” Powers.

For millions of fans, however, Haskins will remain inseparable from Bayside High and the no-nonsense principal who somehow managed to keep Zack Morris and company in line.

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