Mr. Belding Actor Dennis Haskins Dies at 75

Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, has died at 75. A friend and caretaker confirmed the death, reported by NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga Monday night. No cause of death has been confirmed. Born in Chattanooga on November 18, 1950, he was active at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a founding member of the Harlequins community theater group. He landed the Belding role on Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988 before the show was retooled into Saved by the Bell in 1989. Agent Jay Schachter said it was a tragic loss and that everyone loved Mr. Belding, while those who got to know Dennis loved him even more. Schachter said Haskins absolutely loved his fans, always had time for them, and was his client and dear friend for over 20 years. Haskins was a devoted wrestling fan who attended WWE Raw ringside in Anaheim on January 16, 2012, and delivered a Stunner at the Saved By The Ring Bell event in September 2012. He said fans pushed WWE to involve him but he did not want five days a week on the road, adding he was an actor first. Contested: No factual disputes found. Cause of death remains unconfirmed.