Dennis Haskins, 'Saved by the Bell' Principal Belding, Dies at 75

Dennis Haskins, best known for his role as Principal Richard Belding on the hit sitcom "Saved by the Bell," died on Sept. 27 at the age of 75. His death certificate, obtained by TMZ and reported by Fox News, lists Parkinson's disease as the immediate cause of death. Other significant conditions included irritable bowel syndrome, depression, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Haskins' representative confirmed his death, remembering him as a beloved friend who deeply cherished his fans. "He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what," the representative stated. "I'm heartbroken."

Former "Saved by the" Bell co-stars paid tribute to Haskins, recalling his supportive presence during their formative years. Elizabeth Berkley, who played Jessie Spano, shared on Instagram that Haskins "gave us space to be ourselves and to figure out who we were becoming, while always making us feel that he was there if we needed him." She added that Haskins treated the young cast as professionals and that his inherent goodness contributed to the beloved nature of his character.

Tiffani Thiessen, who portrayed Kelly Kapowski, echoed these sentiments, describing Haskins as a "steady presence" who kept the cast in line while always being in their corner. Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater, remembered Haskins for his playful personality on set, noting, "Dennis was the biggest kid on the SBTB set. If you knew him, you loved him."

Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 18, 1950. He first portrayed Principal Belding in the Disney Channel series "Good Morning, Miss Bliss," which was later retooled into "Saved by the Bell." He continued the role through the original series and reprised it for "Saved by the Bell: The New Class," becoming a fixture on television for over a decade. His character's signature catchphrase, "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?" became synonymous with the show.

Beyond his iconic role, Haskins' television credits include appearances on "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The West Wing," "7th Heaven," "Mad Men," "New Girl," "Hot in Cleveland," and "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin.