Dennis Haskins, ‘Saved by the Bell’ Star, Dies at 75
Actor Dennis Haskins, best known to millions of television viewers as Bayside High School Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, has died at 75.
Haskins’ death was confirmed by his longtime agent, Jay Schachter, on September 28, 2026. Schachter described the actor as a beloved friend and said Haskins had always made time for his fans.
Haskins reportedly died Sunday night, September 27, at an assisted-living facility in Burbank, California, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited his longtime friend and caretaker Kimberly Snow.
A cause of death has not been officially released.
Dennis Haskins became synonymous with Mr. Belding
Haskins first played Richard Belding in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, the Disney Channel series that preceded Saved by the Bell. When the concept was reworked into Saved by the Bell in 1989, Haskins and his character were among the elements carried over.
The NBC sitcom became one of the defining American teen comedies of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Haskins remained part of the original series through its run, playing the often exasperated but ultimately caring principal who regularly found himself dealing with Zack Morris and his friends.
Haskins later returned as Mr. Belding in Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran from 1993 to 2000. He also appeared in Saved by the Bell: The College Years and the franchise’s television movies.
For viewers who grew up with the show, his character became one of its most recognizable adult figures.
What is known about Dennis Haskins’ death
The immediate circumstances surrounding Haskins’ death remain limited.
ABC News reported that his agent confirmed the death but that no cause had been released. The Los Angeles Times separately reported that Haskins had privately battled Parkinson’s disease and other health issues.
A tribute from Dimples Karaoke, a Burbank venue where Haskins was a longtime regular, also said he had dealt with Parkinson’s privately for years. That information does not establish Parkinson’s disease as the cause of death.
As of September 29, no official announcement has identified a cause of death.
His career extended far beyond ‘Saved by the Bell’
Although Mr. Belding remained Haskins’ signature role, his acting career stretched across several decades.
He made television appearances in shows including The Dukes of Hazzard, Magnum, P.I., The Twilight Zone, 7th Heaven, Mad Men, Hot in Cleveland and New Girl. He also worked in film and voice acting.
Haskins continued interacting with fans long after Saved by the Bell ended. In later years, he made appearances at events and traveled to Minor League Baseball stadiums, where he met fans, signed autographs and took photographs.
Why Dennis Haskins is trending now
Haskins’ name began trending after news of his death spread on September 28 and September 29.
The renewed attention is largely tied to the enduring popularity of Saved by the Bell, particularly among viewers who grew up watching the series in the 1990s. His death also prompted tributes from former cast members, including Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle.
For a generation of viewers, Haskins was more than simply the principal on a sitcom. Mr. Belding was a recurring part of the show’s world for more than a decade, making his death a significant moment for fans of the franchise.
Haskins was 75.
