At 75: Dennis Haskins, star of 'Saved by the Bell', passed away

Actor Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Mr. Belding on the series 'Saved by the Bell', passed away at age 75. His personal agent confirmed the news, and the cause of death has not yet been released. Haskins leaves behind a legacy of a beloved pop culture character.

Actor Dennis Haskins, who portrayed the iconic character of Principal Mr. Belding on the comedy series 'Saved by the Bell', passed away at age 75. His personal agent, Jay Shechter, confirmed the news to Variety magazine on Monday, September 28, 2026, calling his death a 'tragic loss'. The cause of death has not yet been published. Haskins, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, began his career in entertainment as a musical director and agent, working with Tom Jones and Greg Ullman among others. His first major role was on the Disney Channel series 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' in 1988, which a year later became 'Saved by the Bell' on NBC. The series ran until 1993 and became a pop culture phenomenon. He later continued to appear in films and television shows. News of his death sparked a wave of reactions on social media, including a tweet from journalist Paul Bond praising Haskins as a rare figure who avoided politics.