Dennis Haskins, the actor widely recognized for embodying the iconic principal in the sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” has died. He was 75 years old.
Haskins’ long-time agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed the news to Variety, though no details regarding the cause of death have been made public.
Reflecting on his career, Haskins starred as Principal Belding throughout the original series, which aired from 1989 to 1992. His portrayal of the well-meaning but frequently exasperated educator appeared in approximately 90 episodes. He also reprised the role in the spin-off “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” the television film “Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style,” and the earlier series “Good Morning, Miss Bliss.”
The character became culturally embedded through his distinctive disciplinary catchphrase, “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” Haskins shared the screen with a notable cast that included Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, and Mario Lopez.
Beyond television, Haskins appeared in various other film and TV projects, such as “Abstruse,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” “A Bennett Song Holiday,” “Trailer Park Shark,” and “Jennifer Falls.”
Tributes have begun to pour in from those who knew him personally. Jay Schachter described the actor as a wonderful person who had deep affection for his fans. “Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more,” Schachter said. “He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken. It’s a tragic loss.」
Dimples Karaoke, a former establishment in Burbank, California, where Haskins was a frequent visitor, also honored his memory on Instagram. The venue noted that while many patrons assumed he owned the bar, he simply loved the community there. The caption read, “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.”
The tribute added, “Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky.”
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