Dennis Haskins, the actor generations of television fans knew as Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, has died. He was 75. PEOPLE confirmed the news Monday, Sept. 28, with his agent, Jay Schachter, calling it “a tragic loss.”
“Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more,” Schachter told the outlet. “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 died of Parkinson’s disease, according to his death certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, obtained by TMZ. The certificate lists Parkinson’s as the immediate cause, with hypertension, depression, irritable bowel syndrome and an enlarged prostate noted as other significant conditions.
Born Nov. 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins first played the good-hearted Bayside principal on Disney Channel’s Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988. When NBC retooled the series as Saved by the Bell in 1989, he was one of the few cast members to make the jump, and he stayed through all four seasons alongside Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, and Lark Voorhies.
He carried Belding into Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran from 1993 to 2000, guested on The College Years, and reunited with the original cast for a Tonight Show sketch in 2015. His exasperated catchphrase, “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”, became one of the most quoted lines of 1990s television.
Beyond Bayside, Haskins worked steadily for decades, with credits including The West Wing, Mad Men, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, Hot in Cleveland, 7th Heaven, Victorious, JAG, The Practice, and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Remembering Dennis Haskins
Dimples Karaoke Bar in Burbank, where Haskins was a regular, shared an extended tribute on Instagram, writing that “Dennis was a staple at Dimples” who loved singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. The bar disclosed that Haskins fell ill “about eight years ago” and that one of the health conditions he kept private was Parkinson’s, “because he did not want the attention.” “What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten,” the tribute concluded.
Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, paid tribute on Instagram late Monday night: “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. I am truly heartbroken by his passing and will miss his warmth and laughter more than words can say. Rest in peace, Dennis, you will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater, shared a photo of himself with Haskins from his “On with Mario Lopez” show on Instagram, writing: “RIP Dennis Haskins. Everyone’s favorite principal! #SBTB #MrBelding”
Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater, shared a longer personal tribute on Instagram Tuesday morning: “Heartbroken to hear about my old friend Dennis Haskins. He played the principal, but Dennis was the biggest kid on the SBTB set. If you knew him, you loved him, and if there was karaoke, you knew Dennis was getting on that mic! I’m grateful for the laughs, the memories, and the friendship we shared all these years. Rest easy, my friend. You’ll always be part of our Bayside family.”
Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, remembered Haskins on Instagram Tuesday: “Dennis Haskins was a steady presence in my teenage years, the kind of figure who kept us in line while making sure we knew he was in our corner. I will always remember his kindness and be grateful for the memories we as a cast got to share with him. RIP Mr. B.”
TDN will update this story as tributes arrive.
He is survived by his son, Dustin.