‘Saved by the Bell’ star Dennis Haskins dies at 75: ‘It’s a tragic loss’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding in the hit sitcom ‘Saved by the Bell,’ has died at the age of 75.
The news of his passing was announced by his longtime agent, Jay Schachter, in a statement to Variety. Haskins portrayed the iconic character from the beginning of the show in 1989 to its end in 1992, appearing in nearly 90 episodes.
He also reprised his role in the spin-off, ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class,’ the TV movie, ‘Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style,’ and the prequel series, ‘Good Morning, Miss Bliss.’
Dennis Haskins remembered as a ‘great person’
Speaking to Variety, Haskins’ agent Schachter said, “It’s a tragic loss.” He further shared, “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.”
Schachter also mentioned, “He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly, adding, “I’m heartbroken.” No cause of death and other details about his demise have been revealed so far.
In addition to ‘Saved by the Bell,’ Haskins also appeared on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ ‘New Girl,’ ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West,’ ‘Hot in Cleveland,’ and many other TV shows and films.
Dennis Haskins silently fought Parkinson’s disease
Following his death, Dimples Karaoke, a bar in Burbank, California, which Haskins frequented, shared a heartfelt tribute, revealing the actor had been fighting Parkinson’s for several years.
“About eight years ago, he became ill. He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, ‘What do I even say?‘ So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life,” the statement from the establishment read, in part.
“Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard,” they continued.
“After I said my final goodbyes to him last night, I was across the hall signing some paperwork. I looked up and saw that the room he had been in was a gift from the Mario Lopez Golf Classic, and somehow, that made me feel a little better. What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten,” they concluded.
