An actor Dennis Haskinswho played the beloved Principal Belding on the sitcom ‘Saved by the Bell,’ on Sunday, September 27. Haskins died at 75 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
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‘Saved By The Bell’ actor Dennis Haskins dies at 75
Everyone’s favorite school principal died on Sunday. Dennis Haskins was the main star of the 1990s sitcom, ‘Saved by the Bell.’ Jay SchacherHaskins’ agent, the news in a statement to PEOPLE magazine on Monday, September 28.
“It’s a tough loss,” Schacher wrote. “Everybody loved Mr. Belding, and those of us who knew Dennis, he was even more so. He was a good man, and he loved, I mean he loved his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what.”
The sitcom about a group of teenagers at a fictional Bayside High School that premiered in 1989. ‘Saved by the Bell’ also starred Voorhies Lark, Marc-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Diamond Dustin, Tiffany Amber Thiessenand Elizabeth Berkley. Haskins also played the beloved Principal Belding in ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class’ from 1993 to 2000.
Haskins was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
Haskins was reportedly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to a post shared on Instagram by Dimples Karaoke. The famous actor was reportedly at the Burbank, California venue for several years.
“Dennis was a staple at Dimples,” read the statement. “A lot of people thought it was his, but it wasn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He loved singing to people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. Dimples closed about 11 years ago, and people still associate it with his girlfriend’s ‘second home.’ He was known as Mr. Belding from ‘Saved by the Bell,’ but to us, he was much more than that.”
The post went on to state that the actor had fallen ill with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder with no cure. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slow movement and non-movement issues such as depression and sleep issues, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
“About eight years ago, he got sick,” follow the post. “He had been quiet about his battle with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he didn’t want the attention. He didn’t want to have to tell people. He would say, ‘What am I even saying?’ So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and helped him through the transition into the next chapter of his life.”
“Last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and may be entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the past few years, I read your messages to him, and you were heard. After I said my final goodbyes to him last night, I was across the hall signing a newspaper. I looked up and I saw that the room he had been in was a gift to me from the classic and little Lop, which made me feel like a gift from Mario and little Lop. He had a great and wonderful life. Rest in peace, Dennis.
Former Co-Star Lark Voorhies Speaks Out
Haskins’ former co-star, Lark Voorhies, shared a message on Instagram and talked about her friendship with the late actor.
“Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life, which he will miss so much,” she wrote. “We shared so much history together from our earliest days, and through it all, he remained a wonderful man, a loyal friend, and someone with such a kind, gentle heart. I am truly heartbroken at his passing and will miss his warmth and smile more than words can say. Rest in peace Dennis, you will always have a special place in my heart.”
Fans also shared condolences on TSR’s Instagram page as they said goodbye to their “favorite principal” from childhood.
User @blkgee030 wrote, “My favorite childhood principle 😔.”
User @sonquilla.zhane said, “Awwww no mr.belding…..hey hey hey WHAT is going on here 😭😭😭😭.”
@nochilldeezy said, “Rest in peace Mr. B, the Principal of our youth 🕊️😢.”
User @iamelocopeland wrote, “Not Mr. Belding 😭 Rejected Class 🕊️🕊️🕊️.”
@joellaellaaye replied, “😢😢 my first principle, he was always consistent with what he discovered, Mr. Belding 💎💎.”
User @dijahbadd wrote, “Awww we are getting old frfr…. Not Saved my the Bell principle 😩.”
@chryssyvsdream noted, “This was everyone’s principle 😢.”
@jayb5744 shared thanks to the late actor. “thank you for the good smile that grew up when a child was resting in peace🙏🏾🥹.”
User @replied Brenniemo, “Rest in peace, Mr. Belding.
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