Dennis Haskins Chattanooga TN Obituary-Death: Saved by the Bell Star Dies at 75

Haskins’ death was reported by WTVC in Chattanooga on September 28, 2026, with the station citing his friend and caretaker. News of his passing has brought an outpouring of memories from fans who grew up watching him portray the stern but caring principal of Bayside High School.

For many viewers, Haskins was inseparable from the character of Mr. Belding, a role that became one of the most recognizable adult figures in 1990s teen television.

Dennis Haskins Dies at 75

Haskins was born November 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Before achieving widespread recognition as an actor, he attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he became involved in campus activities and theater.

His acting career began with television appearances in the late 1970s and continued through numerous film and television projects.

His defining role arrived when he was cast as Richard Belding in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, the Disney Channel series that preceded Saved by the Bell.

When the series was reworked for NBC in 1989, Haskins continued as Principal Belding. He remained with the franchise for years, including its later spinoff, Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

Remembered as Mr. Belding

As Principal Belding, Haskins portrayed an authority figure responsible for keeping order among the students at Bayside High. His character frequently found himself dealing with the schemes of Zack Morris and his friends, creating one of the show’s most enduring comedic relationships.

Despite the character’s frequent frustration with his students, Mr. Belding was ultimately portrayed as someone who cared about the young people under his supervision.

Haskins’ memorable delivery of “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” became closely associated with both the character and the actor.

The role made him a familiar face to millions of viewers and ensured that his work remained part of the childhood memories of an entire generation.

Career Beyond Saved by the Bell

Although Haskins became best known for Saved by the Bell, his career extended well beyond the popular sitcom.

He appeared in television programs including The Dukes of Hazzard, Magnum, P.I., Archie Bunker’s Place, and other productions. His film credits included appearances in projects such as A Million Ways to Die in the West.

He also returned to the world of Saved by the Bell on several occasions and remained connected to fans of the franchise long after the original series ended.

In 2015, Haskins reunited with several of his former Saved by the Bell castmates during a television sketch, giving longtime fans an opportunity to see the familiar group together again.

Chattanooga Remembers Its Native Son

Haskins maintained a connection with his hometown of Chattanooga throughout his life.

He attended Notre Dame High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he became involved in campus life and theater. His connection to the city remained an important part of his personal story.

Haskins was also known locally for his appearances at Dimples Karaoke, where he became a regular and developed a following among people who knew him away from the television screen.

Those who encountered him outside Hollywood remembered him not simply as Mr. Belding but as Dennis, a Chattanooga native who enjoyed music, meeting people, and interacting with fans.

Cause of Death Not Confirmed

An official cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.

According to WTVC, Haskins had Parkinson’s disease, information attributed to Dimples Karaoke, where he was a regular. However, the report did not establish Parkinson’s as the cause of his death.

His death marks the loss of an actor whose most famous character became a lasting part of American television culture.

Dennis Haskins’ Legacy

For fans of Saved by the Bell, Dennis Haskins will forever be remembered as Principal Richard Belding — the principal who tried to keep Bayside High’s students under control while becoming one of the show’s most beloved adult characters.

His career spanned decades, but his portrayal of Mr. Belding remains his most enduring contribution to television.

As news of his death spreads, former viewers are remembering the laughter, nostalgia, and memorable moments he helped create through the beloved sitcom.

Dennis Haskins leaves behind a legacy that extends from his hometown of Chattanooga to the millions of television viewers who knew him simply as Mr. Belding.

His passing closes the chapter on the life of an actor who became a familiar and lasting presence in the childhood memories of generations of fans.