Dennis Haskins, "Saved by the Bell" Actor Who Played Mr. Belding, Dies at 75

Dennis Haskins, best known for his role as the ever-patient principal Mr. Belding in the hit sitcom "Saved by the Bell," has died at the age of 75. His death was confirmed by sources close to the actor, including his agent, Jay Schachter, who remembered Haskins as a "great person" who deeply cherished his fans.

While the exact cause of death has not been officially released, a social media post from Dimples Karaoke, a bar Haskins frequented in Burbank, California, indicated that he had been battling Parkinson's disease and other health concerns for the past eight years. The post stated that Haskins had chosen to keep his health struggles private. "He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken," Schachter told The Hollywood Reporter.

Haskins portrayed Principal Richard Belding for over a decade, appearing in the original "Saved by the Bell" series (1989-1993) and its subsequent spin-offs, including "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" (1993-2000). His character's signature catchphrase, "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?" became a memorable element of the show as he attempted to manage the antics of Zack Morris and his classmates at Bayside High.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins was involved in numerous campus activities during his time at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He co-founded the Harlequins theater group, wrote original plays, and as student government entertainment chairman, booked Ike and Tina Turner for a campus concert. He also contributed to the student newspaper and organized a charity basketball game to raise funds for local police officers' children.

Before his acting career took off, Haskins worked in the music industry as a manager, agent, and concert promoter, representing artists such as Tom Jones and Gregg Allman. His television career began with a guest role on "The Dukes of Hazzard" in 1979, followed by his breakout role on "Good Morning, Miss Bliss," the precursor to "Saved by the Bell."

Haskins amassed over 100 acting credits throughout his career, including guest appearances on popular shows like "The West Wing," "Mad Men," and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." In 2009, he released a music album titled "Karaoke with Your Favorite Principal Dennis."

He is survived by his son, Dustin. Haskins' passing comes five years after his "Saved by the Bell" co-star Dustin Diamond, who played Samuel "Screech" Powers, died in 2021 at the age of 44.