Dennis Haskins, the American actor best known for his portrayal of Principal Richard Belding in the popular sitcom 'Saved By The Bell', has passed away at the age of 75. His agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed the news to ABC News on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, describing it as a tragic loss. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Haskins played the beloved principal across multiple 'Saved By The Bell' series spanning over a decade, from 1989 to 2000.
Haskins first stepped into the role of Principal Belding in 1989 on the Disney Channel series 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss'. When the show was reimagined as NBC's 'Saved By The Bell', he carried the character with him into what would become one of the defining sitcoms of the 1990s. The series followed a group of teenagers through the highs and lows of high school life and ran for four seasons until 1993.
Principal Belding stood out as one of the most enduring adult figures in 'Saved By The Bell'. His catchphrase, "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?", became closely tied to the character and remained recognizable to fans decades after the show wrapped. Haskins went on to reprise the role in the spin-off 'Saved By The Bell: The New Class', which continued for a further seven seasons through to 2000.
Haskins' final appearance as Belding came in 2015, when he joined Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani Thiessen for a reunion sketch on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', delighting a new generation of viewers. While Principal Belding defined much of his public image, Haskins maintained a busy and varied career across television and film.
Haskins' credits included 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', 'Mad Men', 'How I Met Your Mother', 'New Girl', 'The Bold and the Beautiful', 'Victorious', 'Men of a Certain Age', 'Hot in Cleveland', and the feature film 'A Million Ways to Die in the West', among others. His passing marks the end of a career that spanned several decades and touched multiple generations of television audiences.
Fans remember Haskins most warmly for the role that first brought him into their living rooms. The news of his death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow actors. Haskins' legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of 'Saved By The Bell' around the world.
The entertainment industry has been paying tribute to Haskins, with many remembering him for his iconic role as Principal Belding. His agent, Jay Schachter, mourned the loss as a tragic one, drawing particular attention to the genuine bond Haskins shared with the legions of fans who grew up watching him on screen.
Key points
- Dennis Haskins, known for playing Principal Belding in 'Saved By The Bell', has died at the age of 75.
- Haskins played Principal Belding across multiple 'Saved By The Bell' series from 1989 to 2000.
- Haskins had a varied career across television and film, with credits including 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', 'Mad Men', and 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'.
