CHATTANOOGA — Dennis Haskins, widely recognized for portraying Principal Richard Belding on 'Saved by the Bell,' died at age 75. The actor passed away late Sunday, with news of his death confirmed Tuesday by his agent, Jay Schachter.

"It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr Belding, and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more," Schachter said. "He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what." Actress Lark Voorhies also paid tribute to the longtime friend she had known for decades.

"Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life," Voorhies wrote. "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 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."

Dimples Karaoke in Burbank, California, shared a message on Instagram noting Haskins was a regular visitor to the venue. Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t," the post read."

"He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans." The post added that although the karaoke bar closed about 11 years ago, Haskins remained closely associated with it. "He was known to most as Mr Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that," Dimples Karaoke stated. "Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten."

Haskins portrayed Mr. Richard Belding across three television series. He first played the role in the 1989 Disney series 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss.' That same year, NBC launched 'Saved by the Bell,' where Haskins continued as Mr. Belding over four seasons.

He later reprised the character in 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class,' which ran for seven seasons beginning in 1993. Haskins played Principal Richard Belding for a total of 11 years across the original series and its spinoff. On 'Saved by the Bell,' Mr. Belding was known for the catchphrase "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?"

Beyond this iconic role, Haskins made appearances on 'Hot in Cleveland,' 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and 'Mad Men.' He also appeared in the film 'A Million Ways to Die in the West.' In the 1980s, he had guest roles on 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Magnum, P.I.'

Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he participated in the drama club and helped establish a community theater group. Before entering television, he worked as a music manager, agent, and concert promoter. Among his clients were Tom Jones and Gregg Allman.

In 2000, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga awarded Haskins the Distinguished Alumni Award for his contributions to entertainment and community service. In 2015, he completed a bachelor’s degree in theater from the same institution, fulfilling a goal he had delayed for years. "As successful as some have said I’ve been, from the incredible success of ‘Saved by the Bell,’ other quality acting roles, the books I’ve written, and even UTC Distinguished Alumni in 2000, there’s always been something missing for me – my college degree," Haskins said in a statement at the time. "Now, … I join these graduates in holding my head high having earned my liberal arts degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!" He later donated his personal working script collection from every episode of 'Saved by the Bell' to the UTC library.

Why It Matters

Haskins' portrayal of Principal Belding became a defining presence in teen sitcoms, evolving over 11 years across three series from a background authority figure to a central character. His passing marks the end of an era in late-20th-century pop culture, with remembrances highlighting both his on-screen impact and his off-screen engagement with fans and community initiatives.

His enduring ties to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga reflect a sustained commitment to education and the arts beyond his Hollywood career. By donating his scripts and earning his degree later in life, Haskins preserved his professional legacy while achieving personal academic milestones, leaving a documented influence on both the entertainment industry and his alma mater.

Timeline

In 1989, NBC aired 'Saved by the Bell' for four seasons, with Haskins playing Mr. Belding. Also in 1989, Haskins portrayed Mr. Belding in the Disney show 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss.' In 1993, he returned as Mr. Belding in 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class,' which ran for seven seasons. In 2000, Haskins was named a UTC Distinguished Alumnus. In 2015, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

What's New

Haskins portrayed Principal Richard Belding on 'Saved by the Bell' and its spinoff 'The New Class' for a total of 11 years. He donated his personal working script collection from every episode of 'Saved by the Bell' to the UTC library. Haskins was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2000.

In 2015, Haskins completed his bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His caretaker, Kimberly Snow, revealed that Haskins had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years before his death but kept the condition private. Haskins previously organized events for UTC students, including bringing Ike and Tina Turner to campus in 1973.