Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Richard Belding on 'Saved by the Bell,' has died at age 75. His agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed the passing, stating, 'It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more.' No cause of death was disclosed across multiple reports.
Haskins originated the role of Principal Belding in the 1988 Disney Channel series 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss,' which later became NBC’s 'Saved by the Bell' in 1989. He appeared in the main series through its 1993 finale and reprised the role in the 1993–2000 spin-off 'Saved by the Bell: The New Class.' He last portrayed the character in a 2015 'Tonight Show' sketch with co-stars.
Beyond 'Saved by the Bell,' Haskins appeared in shows like 'Mad Men,' 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and 'New Girl,' as well as films such as 'A Million Ways to Die in the West.' He was also a regular at Dimples Karaoke in Burbank, Calif., where he was described as a 'staple' and 'much more than Mr. Belding' to locals. He is survived by his son, Dustin.