Dennis Haskins, ‘Saved by the Bell’ Principal, Made Final Public Appearance Years Before Death
The actor, known for his role as Mr. Belding, was photographed at an NBA game in late 2018, nearly a decade before his passing.
Dennis Haskins, the actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Principal Richard Belding in the popular sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” made his last known public appearance at an NBA game in December 2018. News of Haskins’ death at the age of 75 emerged on Monday.
On December 29, 2018, Haskins was seen attending a Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs game at the Crypto.com Arena, then known as the Staples Center. He appeared in good spirits, dressed in a suit.
Earlier that year, in October 2018, Haskins attended several events, including the opening night of “A Bronx Tale” and the premiere of “Lucha Vavoom: Inside America’s Most Outrageous Show.” He was also photographed in Los Angeles in November 2018. His final public sighting was at the aforementioned basketball game the following month.
Haskins, often referred to as “America’s Favorite Principal,” played the iconic role from 1988 to 2000. His tenure spanned the original “Saved by the Bell” series and its subsequent iterations, including “The California Dream” and “Saved by the Bell: The New Class.” He reprised the role in a 2015 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
While the cause of Haskins' death has not been officially confirmed, an Instagram post from Dimples Karaoke bar in Burbank, California, suggested he had been battling Parkinson's disease and other health issues privately.
“He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention,” the tribute read. “He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, ‘What do I even say?’”
Haskins’ agent, Jay Schachter, described him as “a great person” who “absolutely LOVED his fans” and always made time for them. Schachter, who represented Haskins for over 20 years, expressed profound sadness, stating, “I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken.”
Beyond his signature role, Haskins had a prolific acting career with roles in television series such as “The West Wing,” “Mad Men,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “7th Heaven.”
Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin.