‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Dead

Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for playing the principal on the cult classic ’90s sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” has died at the age of 75.

“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,” his agent, Jay Schachter, said, per ABC News.

A cause of death was not immediately made available. 

Haskins was instantly recognizable thanks to his longtime portrayal of Principal Richard Belding across multiple TV series and TV movies, the outlet noted. It started with the Disney Channel show “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” in 1988. That would later transform into the iconic sitcom “Saved By The Bell,” which aired from 1989 until 1993.

Haskins reprised the role in the reboot, “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” which was on the air from 1993 until 2000.

Some of the actor’s “Saved by the Bell” co-stars paid tribute to him following the announcement of his passing.

“Dennis Haskins was a steady presence in my teenage years, the kind of figure who kept us in line while making sure we knew he was in our corner,” actress Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, wrote. “I will always remember his kindness and be grateful for the memories we as a cast got to share with him. RIP Mr. B.”

“We shared so much history together from our earliest days, and through it all, he remained a fabulous person, a loyal friend, and someone with such a kind, gentle heart. I am truly heartbroken by his passing and will miss his warmth and laughter more than words can say. Rest in peace, Dennis, you will always hold a special place in my heart,” wrote Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle.

Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater on the show, also shared his condolences. “He played the principal, but Dennis was the biggest kid on the SBTB set. If you knew him, you loved him — and if there was karaoke, you knew Dennis was getting on that mic!” he posted on Instagram alongside a photo of the two of them on set. “I’m grateful for the laughs, the memories, and the friendship we shared all these years. Rest easy, my friend. You’ll always be part of our Bayside family.”

“Saved by the Bell” was just one of many projects for Haskins. Other acting credits include “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “Malibu, CA,” “The Practice,” “The West Wing,” “The Rerun Show,” “The Stoneman,” “7th Heaven,” “Going Down,” “Red Water,” “Tangy Guacamole,” “An Ordinary Killer,” “JAG,” “Dead End Road,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Men of a Certain Age,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Victorious,” “Mad Men,” “Emerald Acres,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Destroy the Alpha Gammas,” “New Girl,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “This Isn’t Working,” “Bill Nye Saves the World,” “Abstruse,” “Enigma,” and others.