Dennis Haskins, the actor best known to generations of television viewers as Principal Richard Belding on âSaved by the Bell,â has died at the age of 75. His death was confirmed by people close to him, including his longtime agent Jay Schachter, who remembered Haskins as a devoted friend and an actor who maintained a strong connection with fans throughout his career.
"Saved by the Bell" star Dennis Haskins has died at 75 đđïž https://t.co/AuI6Hv4jjp
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 29, 2026
Haskins became one of the most recognizable adult figures from the hit teen sitcom era, appearing across multiple versions of the franchise. While his character spent years trying to keep Zack Morris and the rest of Bayside High in line, Haskins remained closely associated with Mr. Belding long after the original series ended.
Dennis Haskins’ death confirmed at 75
Haskins’ friend and caretaker confirmed his death to Chattanooga’s NewsChannel 9. His agent Jay Schachter separately confirmed the news to TMZ.
Schachter, who represented Haskins for more than 20 years, described the death as a tragic loss and said Haskins had a deep affection for the people who knew him through âSaved by the Bell.â He also emphasized that the actor regularly made time for fans.
A cause of death has not been publicly announced. No verified medical explanation or detailed circumstances surrounding Haskins’ death have been released, so claims circulating online about how he died should not be treated as confirmed.
Mr. Belding started before ‘Saved by the Bell’
Haskins’ history with Richard Belding began before the television series that made the character famous.
He first portrayed Belding in âGood Morning, Miss Bliss,â which aired on the Disney Channel in the late 1980s. The concept was later reworked into NBC’s âSaved by the Bell,â with Haskins continuing as the principal of Bayside High.
Belding became known as the authority figure constantly dealing with Zack Morris and his classmates, while his familiar âHey, hey, heyâ entrance became one of the character’s most recognizable trademarks.
Haskins later appeared as Belding in âSaved by the Bell: The College Yearsâ and continued the role in âSaved by the Bell: The New Class.â According to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Special Collections, he remained associated with the character until 2000.
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His acting career went beyond Bayside High
Although Mr. Belding became Haskins’ defining role, his television career began years earlier and included work outside the âSaved by the Bellâ franchise.
His credits stretched back to the late 1970s and later included appearances in projects such as âIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaâ and the film âA Million Ways to Die in the West.â
Haskins also continued appearing in reunions and entertainment projects that reflected the lasting nostalgia around Bayside High. In 2015, he joined several former cast members for a âTonight Showâ sketch recreating the world of âSaved by the Bell.â
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Chattanooga remained central to his story
Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 18, 1950, and maintained strong ties to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
He was active in theater and student organizations during his university years and later returned to complete his bachelor’s degree in theater and speech in December 2015.
UTC had already recognized him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000.
His connection to the university also became part of how his television legacy was preserved. Haskins donated working scripts and memorabilia from âGood Morning, Miss Blissâ and âSaved by the Bellâ to UTC’s archives.
The collection includes scripts from 1988 through 1992, production revisions, rehearsal schedules, filming details and other behind-the-scenes materials. UTC also preserves a suit Haskins wore while portraying Mr. Belding.
Mr. Belding remained part of pop culture
Haskins’ long run across several versions of âSaved by the Bellâ helped make him one of the franchise’s most enduring faces.
While student characters changed and different series introduced new casts, Belding provided continuity across eras. That longevity helped keep Haskins recognizable decades after the original sitcom stopped producing new episodes.
For fans, his death is therefore tied to more than a single television character. Haskins helped define one of the most familiar figures from 1990s teen television and continued embracing that connection through reunions, appearances and interactions with viewers.
For now, the major unanswered detail remains the cause of death. Until Haskins’ family, agent or another authoritative source releases additional information, the confirmed facts are that he has died at 75 and that his decades-long Mr. Belding legacy remains closely connected to both âSaved by the Bellâ and his hometown of Chattanooga.
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