“Saved By The Bell” Actor Dennis Haskins Has Died
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Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for his role as principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, has died. He was 75.
The news was first shared by News Channel 9’s Kim Chapman Whitfield, who wrote on Facebook, “Chattanooga’s Dennis Haskins has died. He was the endearing Mr. Belding from ‘Saved by the Bell.’ His friend and caretaker told me tonight that he passed away Sunday in Burbank. She said he had been living with Parkinson’s the past few years.”
TMZ confirmed the news with Haskins’ agent, Jay Schachter, who shared:
“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 said. “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.”
Haskins’ official cause of death has not been confirmed. But friends told News Channel 9 that he “became ill” about 8 years ago and kept his battle with Parkinson’s very private.
“He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people,” an Instagram post from Dimples Karaoke where Haskins frequented said. “So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.”
Who was Dennis Haskins?
Dennis Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and attended college at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.
Before landing a starring role in Saved by the Bell, Haskins appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard in several different roles.
Haskins reportedly auditioned for the role of principal Richard Belding seven times before earning the spot. He first appeared as Mr. Belding in Good Morning, Miss Bliss before the show was retitled as Saved by the Bell.
(Photo credit: NBCU Photo Bank)
He appeared in all four seasons of Saved by the Bell (1989 to 1993) and reprised the role for the show’s spin-off series, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, from 1993 to 2000.
One of Haskins’ last television appearances came in 2015 when he reunited with his Saved by the Bell castmates for a skit on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
