Dennis Haskins, beloved Saved by the Bell star, dies at 75
Dennis Haskins, the beloved ‘Saved by the Bell’ star who played principal Mr. Belding, has died at 75. A longtime friend and caretaker confirmed the news from his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Agent Jay Schachter called the loss tragic, saying everyone loved Mr. Belding and those who knew Dennis loved him even more.
Key Takeaways
- Dennis Haskins, TV’s Mr. Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 75.
- His death was confirmed by a longtime friend and caretaker in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Agent Jay Schachter told The Hollywood Reporter that Haskins “absolutely LOVED his fans.”
- The cause of death has not been disclosed; a post after his death cited a private Parkinson’s battle and other health concerns.
- He is survived by his son, Dustin.
Who was Dennis Haskins and why does his death matter?
For fans of 1990s television, Haskins was “America’s Favorite Principal.” He spent more than a decade as Principal Richard Belding on the hit sitcom Saved by the Bell (1989–93) and its spinoffs, including Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993–2000).
His exasperated catchphrase — “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” — became one of the show’s most famous lines as Belding tried to keep Zack Morris and the Bayside High students in check. The news lands as a major moment in celebrity breaking news, closing a chapter for a cast that shaped a generation of viewers.
How did friends and colleagues remember him?
According to Page Six, WTVC reported the confirmation from Chattanooga. Schachter, his agent and friend for more than 20 years, said: “It’s a tragic loss. 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.”
Schachter added that Haskins always had time for fans, calling himself heartbroken and saying he will miss him terribly. Page Six reported that the cause of death has not been disclosed. A post shared after his death said he had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention.
What else defined Haskins’ career beyond Bayside High?
Before television fame, Haskins attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he helped found the Harlequins theater group, wrote and staged plays, and as student government entertainment chairman booked Ike and Tina Turner for a 1973 campus concert. He also organized a charity basketball game to raise scholarship money for children of local police officers.
He worked as a music manager, agent and concert promoter, with clients including Tom Jones and Gregg Allman, according to his IMDb page. His network TV debut came on the 1979 pilot of The Dukes of Hazzard. His big break followed on the Saved by the Bell precursor Good Morning, Miss Bliss.
Haskins amassed more than 100 acting credits, with guest spots on The West Wing, Mad Men, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and 7th Heaven. In 2009 he released an album, Karaoke with Your Favorite Principal Dennis.
Who survives the Saved by the Bell star?
Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His death comes five years after co-star Dustin Diamond, who played Screech Powers, died of lung cancer in 2021 at age 44.