Dennis Haskins, the actor who portrayed much-loved headmaster Richard Belding on 1990s sitcom Saved by the Bell, has died at the age of 75.
Haskins' agent confirmed the sad news early on Tuesday morning UK time (September 29). He passed away on Monday, agent Jay Schachter said.
Agent pays tribute
Schachter told The Hollywood Reporter: "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."
The location and circumstances surrounding Haskins' death have not been disclosed.
Career and legacy
The actor was most recognised for his 11-year spell playing Principal Belding on NBC in America. He captured viewers' affections with his firm but fair approach towards his pupils at Bayside High School, and became renowned for his catchphrase: "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?".
He helped Saved By The Bell become a hugely successful fixture of Saturday morning television for young people in the early 1990s. When NBC bosses decided to end the original series as the cast started to grow older, Haskins was brought back to reprise his role in the spin-off, Saved By The Bell: The New Class.
He remained on screen from 1993 to 2000, and made a one-off appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2015 alongside some of his original co-stars. Haskins also featured in prominent TV programmes including The Dukes of Hazzard, Magnum P. I., Mad Men, and The West Wing.
