Millennials across the country are mourning the news that Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for playing the role of Bayside High School Principal Richard Belding on the hit television series “Saved by the Bell,” passed away after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. Haskins was 75.
Jay Schachter, head of film and television for Stewart Talent in New York City, gave a statement about Haskins’ passing, saying, “It’s a tragic loss.” Haskins played the role of Mr. Belding in the classic 90s teen sitcom from 1989 to 1993. The part defined his acting career and endeared him to an entire generation of fans.
“Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more,” Schachter went on to say. “He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans.” The actor was born and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, going on to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
According to NBC News, Haskins was a reporter for the university’s newspaper. He was active in campus productions and was a founding member of the community theater group, The Harlequins, according to his university biography. During his young adulthood he served as a music manager, agent, and concert promoter.
His clientele included several legendary musicians, including Tom Jones and Gregg Allman, among many others. In the early days of his acting career, Haskins played small parts in “Magnum P.I.” and “The Twilight Zone.” But the part that would come to make him a pop culture icon came when he landed the role of Mr. Belding in a series called “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” in 1988 that aired on the Disney Channel.
The following year, the series was picked up by NBC and was changed to “Saved by the Bell.” The series ran until 1993. Haskins reprised the role of Mr. Belding when a spin-off series, “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” aired on Saturday mornings from 1993 to 2000. When that show ended, he made appearances on other television series, including a stint on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Schachter then said that Haskins is going to be missed. “He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly,” he told the media. “I’m heartbroken.” The “Saved by the Bell” actor’s death was confirmed by longtime friend and caretaker Kimberly Snow, according to a report from the L.A. Times.
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Snow penned a tribute to Haskins, saying, “A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed down about 11 years ago, and people still associate him with his beloved ‘second home.’ He was known to most as Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that.”
“About eight years ago, he became ill,” the post went on to say. “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. He would say, ‘What do I even say?’ So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.”
“Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard,” Snow added. Haskins’ first on-screen appearance was on “Archie Bunker’s Place” in 1981.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video