The US actor Dennis Haskins – most known for co-starring in the popular Saved by the Bell television series franchise – has died, his agent confirmed on Tuesday. Alluding to Haskins’ Saved by the Bell character, the fictional high school principal Mr Richard Belding, agent Jay Schachter said in a statement: “It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr Belding, and those of us who got to know Dennis loved him even more.
He always had time for them, no matter what.” Authorities have not disclosed Haskins’ cause of death, which reportedly occurred late on Sunday. Haskins played Belding in three programs. First, he was the character in Disney’s 1989 show Good Morning, Miss Bliss.
NBC later turned that show into Saved by the Bell, achieving a level of prominence among its viewers during a four-season run beginning in 1989. He then once again played the principal during Saved by the Bell: The New Class during its seven-season run beginning in 1993. Saved by the Bell achieved a cult status among a generation of US youth as a sitcom centering on high school students grappling with growing up as teenagers.
On the show, Belding’s memorable catchphrase was “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” during efforts to discipline his students. One of the show’s stars, Lark Voorhies, reacted to Haskins’ death on Instagram by saying “losing him hurt so deeply’. 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.” Dimples Karaoke, a karaoke bar in Burbank, California, which Haskins regularly patronized, also mourned his passing, Variety reported. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans.” The bar also said: “Dimples closed down about 11 years ago, and people still associate him with his beloved ‘second home.’ He was known to most as Mr Belding from Saved by the Bell, but to us, he was much more than that.” The bar’s post said that Haskins fell ill about eight years ago but didn’t discuss his conditions “because he did not want the attention”.
He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky,” the post furthermore remarked. It added: “What a cool and amazing life he had. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten.” Haskins, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, also acted in a variety of other television shows and movies.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
