Dennis Haskins, 'Saved by the Bell' principal, dies at 75

tvSep 29, 202662330

Dennis Haskins, best known for portraying Principal Richard Belding on the high school sitcom Saved by the Bell, has died at age 75, his agent Jay Schachter said Monday. The cause and manner of death were unavailable. Haskins first played the character on Disney Channel’s Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988 before NBC aired Saved by the Bell from 1989 to 1993; he reprised Belding on the spinoff Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which ran from 1993 to 2000. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and was a founding member of the Harlequins community theater, according to his university biography. Early in his career he worked as a music manager and promoter and had small TV roles on shows such as Magnum, P.I. and The Twilight Zone, according to IMDb. Schachter said, "Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more," and called Haskins a great person who loved his fans.

C. Robert Cargill

@crobertcargill.bsky.social

To this day I can’t believe they got away with naming a principle “Mr. Bell Ding” on a show named Saved by the Bell. RIP Dennis Haskins.

1534h ago

Humanist Son of a Preacher Man7

Son of a bitch. I just this moment got that. I was too busy being 10 and having the hots for Lisa Turtle.

Torchlight Creative4

How did I not get that until just now…

V. Longshot (Voice of the Void)3

He used to be a regular at a Burbank karaoke bar I used to frequent. (Damn I miss Dimples… and Sardo’s) Was always good to see him and he was always super friendly with everyone.

🔪 c h o p p a h 🔪3

To be fair the show was originally called Good Morning Miss Bliss..

Jessica Ellis2

Omg. Why did I never realize this.

Bud Sax1

I feel like such a dumbass.

Quoting this

Adam Mallinger22

I can’t believe it took me almost 40 years to spot this

Joey Clift

@joeytainment.bsky.social

When I was in college, I was Dennis Haskins' handler for a Mr. Belding meet and greet event. As a huge Saved By The Bell fan, I was excited to do it, until I’d heard afterwards that he needed a handler because he wasn’t allowed to be alone in the same room with women.

743h ago

Hey Bruce 🇨🇦5

Thank you for posting this. I didn't know.

Sarajean3234

That's crazy. So many men

Oliver Willis

@owillis.bsky.social

we used to be a proper country, RIP Chattanooga native Dennis Haskins, 'Saved by the Bell' principal, dies at 75 newschannel9.com/news/local/c...

353h ago

The TV Cave

@thetvcave.bsky.social

Dennis Haskins, who became a Saturday-morning TV fixture as Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, has died at 75. For generations of fans, Bayside High just wouldn’t have been Bayside without Mr. Belding. 💔 #savedbythebell #mebelding #dennishaskins #tvsky

165h ago

Forgotten TV

@forgotten.tv

Dennis Haskins, beloved actor known to an entire generation for portraying Bayside High's Principal Richard Belding on 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙡, has passed away at the age of 75, as reported by WTVC NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga.

154h ago

Lauren Miller

@laurenmiller.bsky.social

It seems like only yesterday we started But soon we'll put away our books and pens We'll go on with our lives once we have parted But how can we say farewell to our friends..... Rest in peace, Mr. B. www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/d...

54h ago

Holy City Sinner

@holycitysinner.com

Actor Dennis Haskins, ‘Saved by the Bell’ star, dies at 75 www.live5news.com/2026/09/29/a...

24h ago

Soap Opera News

@soapoperanews.bsky.social

Sad news. TV fans are mourning Dennis Haskins, the beloved Saved by the Bell icon who also appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful. He was 75. #boldandbeautiful soapoperanews.net/dennis-haski...

13h ago

Invalid Handle News

@news.invalid-handle.com

North Korea warns of global confrontation at the UN. Signal users can now create accounts without phone numbers. Iowa plans a 15 billion dollar steel plant creating 1,750 jobs. Actor Dennis Haskins has died at age 75. A bull was sighted on the steps of the Belgian Senate.

13h ago

Justin M. Bolger

@justinmbolger.bsky.social

Godspeed, Dennis Haskins. Saved by the Bell’s BEST character (I said it), and a really great guy to talk to at SoCal pro wrestling shows.

23h ago

News 📰

@some-news.bsky.social

“Everyone loved Mr. Belding, and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more,” his agent said.

23h ago

SanBrunoJess

@sanbrunojess.bsky.social

Damn. Dennis Haskins passed away. Man, with Andy Williams/Butcher & Ben Satterley/PAC passing away, and reflecting on my dad's passing 29 years ago yesterday along with Cliff Burton passing 40 years ago, this month can fuck the entire way off.

23h ago