Dennis Haskins, who played the hapless principal on 'Saved by the Bell,' dies at 75

Agent calls death of Haskins, who played the school principal in three programs, ‘a tragic loss’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. He was 75.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.

Dennis Haskins, who gained fame as Principal Richard Belding in the 1990s sitcom Saved By The Bell, has died, according to US media reports. Haskins’ cause of death was not released. The Chattanooga, Tennessee native became known to a generation of television viewers as the principal of the fictional Bayside High School, a role that even earned the unofficial title of “America’s Favourite Principal”.

Prior to Saved by the Bell, he made appearances in The Dukes of Hazzard. He also appeared in the 2014 film A Million Ways to Die in the West. Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for playing the affable Principal Richard Belding on the hit NBC sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” has died.

He was 75.Haskins' death was confirmed early Tuesday by his agent. Additional details were not immediately available.“It’s a tragic loss,” his agent, Jay Schachter, said in a statement. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more.

He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly.

I’m heartbroken.”“Saved by the Bell,” which ran from 1989 to 1993, centered on the antics of a group of students at the fictitious Bayside High in Southern California. Taking a page from the comedy movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the school often appeared to be run more by the teens than their hapless principal. The show was both ridiculed and embraced for its zany plots.Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle on the show, paid tribute to Haskins in an Instagram post, saying she was 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.