U.S. actor Dennis Haskins, best known for portraying Principal Richard Belding in the 1990s teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” has died at 75. Haskins’ agent Jay Schachter confirmed the actor’s death in a statement Tuesday. “He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans,” it read. “He always had time for them, no matter what.” Haskins, from Chattanooga, Tenn., became one of the most recognizable 1990s television characters during his time playing Bayside High School’s stern but lovable principal. He appeared in nearly 90 episodes of the show, which ran from 1989 until 1993, along with many of its related projects and spinoffs, including “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” and the film “Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style.” Haskins’ character, Mr. Belding, was constantly attempting to keep Zack Morris, played by Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar, and his other Bayside students in line, and came to be known for his catchphrase: “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” “It’s a tragic loss,” Schachter’s statement read. “Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more.” Actor Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle on “Saved by the Bell,” said in an Instagram post that she was “truly heartbroken.” “Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life, which makes losing him hurt so deeply,” she wrote. “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.” After “Saved by the Bell” ended, Haskins made several other appearances in films and TV shows including “A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014),” “Mad Men,” “Hot in Cleveland” and “New Girl.” Haskins also reunited with his “Saved by the Bell” co-stars in a 2015 segment on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” when he, Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen reprised their roles for a sketch. Haskins’ cause of death was not immediately announced. “He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years,” Schachter’s statement continued, “and I will miss him terribly.” With files from The Associated Press
