Watch: Dennis Haskins, Principal Belding in ‘Saved by the Bell,’ Dead at 75
Dennis Haskins’ loved ones are mourning a devastating loss.
The actor who brought to life Principal Belding on the beloved sitcom Saved by the Bell died on Sept. 27 following an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s, his caretaker Kimberly Snow confirmed to The New York Times. He was 75.
For Haskins’ agent Jay Schacher, it’s a “tragic” passing.
“Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more,” Schacher added in his statement to People. “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 starred as the stern yet caring Principal Belding throughout Saved by the Bell’s four-season run from 1989 to 1992—working alongside actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani Thiessen and Elizabeth Berkley—as well as its spinoff movies and series, including Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he attended college before heading West to pursue acting.
Prior to landing his role as Principal Belding, the actor worked in the music industry before earning acting credits with roles on series such as The Dukes of Hazzard, Archie Bunker’s Place and Magnum, PI.
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But his most enduring and beloved role has been that of Principal Belding, with his signature refrain of, “Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on here?”
“Somebody told me the other day,” Haskins reflected in a 1991 interview with Channel 3, “they said, ‘You are going to be Mr. Belding to a whole generation of kids.’”
“I was just happy to have a job,” he quipped, before adding, “It’s been an incredible experience.”
And for those who worked with him, including the actress behind Lisa Turtle, their time on set will always be a fond memory.
“Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years,” Lark wrote on Instagram Sept. 29, “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.”
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She added, “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.”
In his later years, Haskins became a regular and beloved member of the community at Dimples Karaoke Bar in Burbank before it closed down just over a decade ago.
“A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t,” the bar wrote on Instagram following news of Haskins’ passing. “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 tribute acknowledged Haskins’ Parkinson’s battle, noting the actor preferred to keep his health challenges private.
“He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky,” the tribute continued. “What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten.”
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