Dennis Haskins, US actor who played Mr Belding in Saved by the Bell, dies aged 75

Dennis Haskins (center) as Mr Richard Belding in first episode of Saved by the Bell. Photograph: Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDennis Haskins (center) as Mr Richard Belding in first episode of Saved by the Bell. Photograph: Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty ImagesDennis Haskins, US actor who played Mr Belding in Saved by the Bell, dies aged 75Agent 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.

“He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans. 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’.

“Knowing Dennis Haskins for almost 40 years has been one of the truest blessings of my life,” said the post from Voorhies, who portrayed the character Lisa Turtle.

“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. 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.

“Dennis was a staple at Dimples,” the bar said in an Instagram post on Monday. “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.”

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”.

“Late last night, that journey ended for him. 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. Rest in peace, Dennis. 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. His parts included appearances on Hot in Cleveland, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mad Men and A Million Ways to Die in the West, according to IMDb.

He also expressed pride in having completed a bachelor of arts degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2015.

“As successful as some have said I’ve been, from the incredible success of ‘Saved by the Bell,’ other quality acting roles, the books I’ve written, and even UTC Distinguished Alumni in 2000, there’s always been something missing for me – my college degree,” Haskins said in a statement on the university website at the time. “Now, … I join these graduates in holding my head high having earned my liberal arts degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!”

The Associated Press contributed reporting