Dennis Haskins, best known for starring as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” died on Sept. 27, and his cause of death has now been revealed.
The actor died from Parkinson’s disease at a hospital in Burbank, California, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. He was 75.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health document lists Parkinson’s disease as the immediate cause of death. Irritable bowel syndrome, depression, hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia were also listed as other significant conditions.
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Haskins’ representative previously confirmed his death to Fox News Digital, describing the actor as a beloved friend who maintained a special connection with his fans.
“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. 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.”
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Haskins’ former “Saved by the Bell” co-stars remembered the actor, who became a familiar and reassuring presence during their teenage years on the series.
Elizabeth Berkley, who portrayed Jessie Spano, reflected on the special relationship Haskins had with the young cast.
“I started Saved by the Bell when I was 15 years old. We were six teenagers at such a formative and impressionable time in our lives. Dennis was kind, protective and deeply caring. He gave us space to be ourselves and to figure out who we were becoming, while always making us feel that he was there if we needed him,” she posted on her Instagram with a photo of her “Saved by the Bell” co-stars.
“He treated us as equals, as the professionals that we were. He respected and trusted us. He was an incredible scene partner who cared deeply about the craft, the work, and about us. You could feel it in the way he showed up, both as an actor and as a person. Mr. Belding couldn’t have been anyone else. So much of what made him so loved came from Dennis’s inherent goodness, the same goodness we were lucky enough to receive and be around every day.”
Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, also remembered Haskins as a steady presence during her teenage years.
“Dennis Haskins was a steady presence in my teenage years, the kind of figure who kept us in line while making sure we knew he was in our corner. I will always remember his kindness and be grateful for the memories we as a cast got to share with him. RIP Mr. B.”
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Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater, also paid tribute to his former co-star, remembering Haskins for the playful personality he brought to the set.
“Heartbroken to hear about my old friend Dennis Haskins. He played the principal, but Dennis was the biggest kid on the SBTB set. If you knew him, you loved him—and if there was karaoke, you knew Dennis was getting on that mic!”
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Haskins was born Nov. 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He became one of the most recognizable faces of the “Saved by the Bell” franchise, portraying the often-exasperated Principal Belding as he tried to keep Zack Morris, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and his fellow Bayside students in line.
His journey as Mr. Belding began before “Saved by the Bell” officially became a television hit.
Haskins originated the role on the Disney Channel series “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” which was reworked into “Saved by the Bell.” He continued playing Belding throughout the original series and later reprised the character on “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” extending his run as the beloved principal for more than a decade.
Haskins became closely identified with the character, whose frequent “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” catchphrase became a signature part of the series as Principal Belding attempted to rein in Morris and his classmates.
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Beyond “Saved by the Bell,” Haskins’ television credits include “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The West Wing,” “7th Heaven,” “Mad Men,” “New Girl,” “Hot in Cleveland” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin.
