Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Belding in the 1990s sitcom Saved by the Bell, died on 27 September 2026 at the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Centre in California. He was 75. His death certificate, reviewed by TMZ, lists Parkinson's disease as the primary cause of death. He had also been living with hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, irritable bowel syndrome and depression.
Agent pays tribute to the actor
At the time of his death, Haskins' agent told the Daily Mail: "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."
Career highlights and legacy
Haskins starred in Saved by the Bell from 1989 to 1993, reprising his role in the specials The College Years and Wedding in Las Vegas. In 2015, he appeared alongside co-stars Elizabeth Berkley, Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Amber Thiessen in a sketch for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
Speaking to Parade in 2013, Haskins reflected on his time on the show: "When we got to the full-on Saved by the Bell, I knew it was something special."
"Because the energy was different, the kids were a little bit older, the dynamic was great between everybody, and we were having a great time."
"I had the best job of all. The principal stayed while the kids came and went. So I had a steady job for eleven years."
"For me, that's long-term. But I know that what everybody loves is the original Saved by the Bell."
