In a tragic turn of events, actor Dennis Haskins has passed away at the age of 75. He was best known for playing ‘Principal Richard Belding’ on the hit sitcom Saved by the Bell. Dennis was an iconic television figure who rose to prominence in the 1980s. His tragic death is a big loss to the entertainment world, and his fans are mourning the loss.
What was the cause of Dennis Haskins’s death?
According to reports, the actor’s cause of death is not yet known. However, his agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed his passing, calling him a ‘great person’, who was loved by his fans. Haskins was a regular at Dimples Karaoke, a famous karaoke bar located in Burbank, California. Dimples also released a statement penning a tribute to the actor, which can be read as:
“Dennis was a staple at Dimples. A lot of people thought he owned it, but he didn’t. He just loved the place and its people. He enjoyed singing for people, meeting them, and taking selfies with his fans. 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.”
What secret illness did Dennis Haskins battle?
After Haskins’ death, reports revealed that the actor secretly battled Parkinson’s. A statement regarding his secret battle with the disease was released by Dimples, in which it was mentioned that Haskins hid his illness from people as he didn’t want unwanted attention. The statement can be read as:
“About eight years ago, he became ill. He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention. He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, “What do I even say?” So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.”
For the unversed, Parkinson’s is a long-term brain disorder that affects movement and coordination, getting worse over time. It occurs when dopamine-producing neurons in a deep brain area are lost. Dopamine is a vital chemical that helps transmit signals to control body movements. Parkinson’s is the most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 18, 1950, Haskins went to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While in college, Haskins was deeply involved in journalism, theatre, campus entertainment and community work. As entertainment chairman, Haskins helped bring Ike and Tina Turner to UTC in 1973. He was also a founding member of his college’s theatre group.
Haskins first portrayed ‘Mr. Belding’ in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was broadcast on Disney Channel in 1988. In 1989, when Saved by the Bell arrived, Haskins became a notable face in the series. He returned for Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which aired from 1993 to 2000.
Years later, in 2015, he returned to the role when several cast members reunited for a Saved by the Bell sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He also appeared in projects like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mad Men, Hot in Cleveland, New Girl, and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Rest in peace, Dennis Haskins!
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