Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for portraying lovable Bayside High principal Richard Belding on the NBC teen sitcom Saved by the Bell,
has died at the age of 75. His agent confirmed the death on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, though an official cause was not immediately announced.
The actor’s career spanned decades across television and film, but his defining legacy remains the administrator who spent four seasons on Saved by the Bell
from 1989 to 1993. Haskins first stepped into the role of Principal Belding in 1988 on the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss
, which served as the precursor to the iconic high school comedy.
From Chattanooga Roots to Bayside High
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 18, 1950, Haskins maintained deep ties to his hometown throughout his life. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Notre Dame High School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he immersed himself in campus life as a student newspaper reporter, a Drama Club actor, and a founding member of the Harlequins community theater group.
Before breaking into television, Haskins worked as a music manager, agent, and concert promoter, counting musicians Tom Jones and Gregg Allman among his clients. As the Student Government Association’s entertainment chairman at UTC, he helped bring Ike and Tina Turner to campus in April 1973. Decades later, the university recognized his enduring connection by honoring him with its Most Distinguished Alumni of 2000 award.
How Principal Belding Became a Television Staple
When Disney canceled the show, a wardrobe worker gave Haskins a thumbs-up and told him to save his suits because NBC had bought the rights to four characters for a re-tooled concept. That pivot created Saved by the Bell,
moving the setting to Bayside High and pairing Haskins with a youthful cast that included Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, and Dustin Diamond.
“When we got to the full-on Saved by the Bell, I knew it was something special because the energy was different, the kids were a little bit older, the dynamic was great between everybody, and we were having a great time.”
As Bayside’s harried administrator, Haskins generated one of the most recognizable running bits in television history. Whenever he strode into a chaotic hallway to confront Zack Morris and his friends, he greeted them with a familiar phrase: Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?
Tributes and Recollections From Cast and Crew
News of the actor’s passing prompted immediate outpourings of grief from former colleagues and representatives who remembered his warmth toward fans. Jay Schachter, head of film and television for Stewart Talent in New York City and Haskins’ agent of more than 20 years, issued a statement to multiple outlets.
“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.”
Lark Voorhies, who portrayed Lisa Turtle on the 1990s sitcom, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram detailing their nearly 40-year friendship.
Beyond the original series, Haskins reprised his signature role for seven seasons on Saved by the Bell: The New Class
, which ran on Saturday mornings from 1993 to 2000. In later years, he made guest appearances on programs ranging from “Mad Men” to How I Met Your Mother
and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,
while continuing to travel the country to meet fans.
