'Saved by the Bell' star Dennis Haskins has died aged 75 - Newsweek

Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding in Saved by the Bell, has died at the age of 75.

Haskins's agent Jay Schachter said his death was a "tragic loss." A cause of death has not been released.

"Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more," Schachter told People on Monday. "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."

Dimples Karaoke—a now-closed bar in Burbank, California, that Haskins regularly visited—paid tribute to the actor on Instagram.

"Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn't. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. 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 bar said.

"Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard."

Haskins starred as the principal in Saved by the Bell in nearly 90 episodes from 1989 to 1992.

The actor first played Principal Belding in the series Good Morning, Miss Bliss before the show was redeveloped into Saved by the Bell. He later reprised the role in Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style, and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, making him one of the franchise's longest-serving cast members.

Known for the catchphrase, "Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on here?" Belding served as the often exasperated principal to students at Bayside High School, which included characters such as Zack Morris, A.C. Slater, Kelly Kapowski, Jessie Spano, and Samuel "Screech" Powers.

Born on November 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Haskins attended Notre Dame High School before studying at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In 2000, He earned recognition as one of the university's most distinguished alumni.

Before landing his signature role as Principal Belding, Haskins worked as a music manager, agent and concert promoter, representing performers including Tom Jones and Gregg Allman, according to IMDB. He later appeared in television series such as Magnum, P.I. and The Twilight Zone, as well as films including A Million Ways to Die in the West.

In a 2013 interview with Parade magazine, Haskins recalled the lengthy audition process that led to his breakthrough role.

"On Good Morning, Miss Bliss, I was just glad to have a job. It was a long seven-audition process," he said. "I was in. I was out. And then, finally at the last minute, I got it."

While no official cause of death has been announced, the Dimples Karaoke tribute said Haskins "had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns."

Haskins is survived by his son, Dustin, whom he shared with his ex-wife Sarah Dianne Goins.

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