A beloved principal has left us. Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on the hit sitcom Saved by the Bell, has passed away at age 75.
His agent, Jay Schacher, confirmed Dennis Haskins’ death. In a statement, Schacher said it’s a “tragic loss.” Haskins’ cause of death has not been released.
“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, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what,” Jay Schachter said.
Born November 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dennis Haskins found his passion for acting early on. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he wrote for the student newspaper and performed in campus productions.
According to his university biography, he helped found a community theater group called The Harlequins.
At first, however, Dennis Haskins entered another line of business. He worked in the music business as a music manager, agent, and concert promoter. His IMDb biography notes that some of his clients included Gregg Allman and Tom Jones.
But acting became Dennis Haskins’ main line of work, most notably through Saved by the Bell. He became a familiar face to millions of ’90s TV fans as Principal Richard Belding, a role he played across three different shows.
Dennis Haskins, Principal Belding in ‘Saved by the Bell,’ dies at 75
He first appeared as the beloved principal in the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1989. And when the show was reworked into NBC’s Saved by the Bell, the actor returned as Principal Belding.
Dennis Haskins remained with the hit sitcom throughout its four-season run from 1989 to 1993, then reprised the role in Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000.
Saved by the Bell became one of the most beloved and defining sitcoms of the 1990s. It follows a group of high school friends as they navigate their teenage lives, their friendship, and growing up.
And if there is one thing fans will remember, it will surely be Principal Belding’s iconic catchphrase: “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”
While he left his role as the principal, Haslkins would return. In 2015, he reunited with his Saved by the Bell colleagues Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani Thiessen for a special sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Starred on many television shows
Still, Haskins’ career stretched far beyond Bayside High in Saved by the Bell.
Over the years, the actor appeared in a long list of popular TV shows and movies. Credits included It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Men of a Certain Age, Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and Hot in Cleveland, among many others.
His agent Jay Schachter added, “He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken.”
Rest in peace, Dennis Haskins. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
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