CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Chattanooga native and actor Dennis Haskins, best known as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at age 75, according to his friend and caretaker.
The official cause of death has not been confirmed, but Haskins suffered from Parkinson’s disease. This is according to Dimples Karaoke where Haskins was a regular.
In an Instagram post, Dimples Karaoke said…
“Dennis was a fixture at Dimples. Many people thought he owned it, but that wasn’t the case. He simply loved the place and its people. He loved singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed about 11 years ago and people still associate it with his beloved “home away from home.” He was known to most as Mr. Belding from Saved by gong, but to us he was much more than that.
About eight years ago he became ill. He had kept quiet about his battle with Parkinson’s disease, among other health problems, because he didn’t want attention. He didn’t want to have to tell people. He said, “What am I saying? So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and helped him along his journey to the next chapter of his life.
Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and probably entertaining the people in the sky….”
Haskins became known to generations of television viewers as the principal of Bayside High, earning him the nickname “America’s Favorite Principal.”
Prior to his television career, Haskins was deeply involved at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Born in Chattanooga on November 18, 1950, Haskins attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School and UTC.
While in college, he worked for the student newspaper, performed with the Drama Club and Harlequins, served as entertainment president of the Student Government Association, and belonged to the Blue Key Honor Fraternity and Raven’s Society.
He was also a founding member of the Harlequins community theater group, where he performed, worked as a stage manager and wrote original plays.
As entertainment president, Haskins organized student events and helped bring Ike and Tina Turner to UTC in 1973.
Haskins also used his involvement on campus to support the community.
Through Blue Key, he helped organize the annual “Freaks vs. Freaks” basketball game. Fuzz,” which raised scholarships for the children of UTC and Chattanooga police officers.
Photo credit: Darrell Patterson
He also helped broadcast Mocs basketball games right here on NewsChannel 9.
Haskins first played Mr. Belding on Disney Channel’s “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” in 1988.
The show was retitled “Saved by the Bell” the following year and became a landmark sitcom of the 1990s.
After leaving Bayside High, Haskins appeared in films and television shows, including “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
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