Dennis Haskins, the actor beloved for playing Principal Richard Belding on the hit television series Saved by the Bell, has died at 75.
“It’s a tragic loss,” Haskins’ agent, Jay Schachter, told TMZ in a statement on Monday. “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—absolutely LOVED—his fans.
“He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for more than 20 years, and I will miss him terribly.”
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins first played Principal Belding on the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which ran from 1988 to 1989.
The show was later reworked as Saved by the Bell, airing on NBC from 1989 to 1993. Haskins continued in the role on Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran from 1993 to 2000.
The Daily Mail has contacted Haskins’ representative for additional comment.
Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for portraying Principal Richard Belding on the television series Saved by the Bell, has died at 75. He is pictured in Los Angeles in 2018.
Haskins appeared in a 1990 episode of Saved by the Bell.
Haskins later returned as Principal Belding for the one-off specials Saved by the Bell: The College Years in 1993 and Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas in 1994.
He starred alongside Mario Lopez, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and the late Dustin Diamond. Diamond died at 44 in 2021 following a brief battle with cancer.
In February 2015, Haskins reunited with Berkley, Gosselaar, Lopez and Thiessen for a sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Beyond Saved by the Bell, Haskins appeared in television shows including Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, Hot in Cleveland, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mad Men.
His film credits included the 2014 comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West, 2017’s Trailer Park Shark and the 2019 film Abstruse.
Before landing his signature role on Saved by the Bell, Haskins built an extensive television résumé with appearances throughout the 1980s.
His early credits included Archie Bunker’s Place, The Greatest American Hero, Simon & Simon, The Fall Guy, CHiPs, Knots Landing, The Dukes of Hazzard and Magnum, P.I.
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According to Chattanooga’s News Channel 9, Haskins attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Notre Dame High School before going on to college.
The cast included, from left, Mario Lopez, Dennis Haskins, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and the late Dustin Diamond.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee native first played Principal Belding on Disney Channel’s Good Morning, Miss Bliss from 1988 to 1989.
Haskins attended an event at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in November 2017.
The actor had attended college at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he played on the basketball team for a season.
He had been named the institution’s Most Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000.
While in college, he was a member of the school newspaper, and involved with the drama club, student government, Blue Key Honor Fraternity and Raven’s Society, according to the TV station.
Haskins was a co-founder of the community theater group Harlequins, working multiple jobs for the organization, according to the TV station. In addition to his acting, he was a stage manager and playwright.
While serving as the university’s student entertainment chairman, he had put together events, including a 1973 show featuring the late Ike and Tina Turner.
Haskins had been involved in tours for the USO decades back, entertaining troops in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia; and in 2002 in Afghanistan, Oman, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The late actor was warmly remembered on X amid news of his passing on Monday, with many hailing his efforts on the popular high school-themed series
The late actor was warmly remembered on X amid news of his passing on Monday, with many hailing his efforts on the popular high school-themed series.
‘Another legend gone too soon,’ one user said. ‘The principal of the 90s. If you were a kid during that time, he was on your TV every Saturday morning. Rest easy Dennis.’
Another added, ‘Rest in Peace, Dennis Haskins. I knew Mr. Belding a lot more than I knew my own principal. Thank you for all the wonderful memories at Bayside.’
One user said that ‘Bayside High will never be the same,’ adding, ‘RIP Mr. Belding.’
The actor is survived by son Dustin.