Dennis Haskins Remembered by Colleagues Following Death at 75

In a personal essay published by the Los Angeles Times, former patrons and colleagues remember actor Dennis Haskins, best known as Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” following his death on Sunday night at age 75 after an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. The Los Angeles Times reported that Haskins was a fixture at Burbank’s Dimples karaoke bar, where regulars frequently mistook him for the owner during his fourteen years visiting the establishment.

Dale Wade Davis Recalls Haskins as America’s Principal

Movie producer and former actor Dale Wade Davis writes in the Los Angeles Times that he met Haskins at Dimples on Wednesday nights without initially knowing his television background. Davis states that customers called Haskins “America’s principal,” noting that the actor embraced the moniker while remaining focused on future acting work rather than dwelling on the past. According to Davis, Haskins supported him personally by attending the hospital for a kidney transplant surgery in 2007 and subsequently serving as the first celebrity to support a celebrity poker tournament designed to give back to the community. Davis notes that Haskins frequently sang Frank Sinatra songs during karaoke sessions.

Larry Bagby and Ryan Adam Wells Describe Musical Collaborations

Actor and musician Larry Bagby, who appeared in an episode of “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” tells the Los Angeles Times that he bonded with Haskins over a shared love of music. Bagby states that Haskins drove out to Simi Valley to provide background vocals for an original recording titled “Bus Driver” and offered professional stage advice based on his early experience managing bands. Singer-songwriter Ryan Adam Wells similarly shares in the Los Angeles Times that he encountered Haskins at the Burbank venue through mutual friends, experiencing the actor’s welcoming demeanor firsthand despite initially being unfamiliar with his television sitcom work.

Kimberly Snow and Jay Schachter Confirm Details of the Actor’s Passing

The Los Angeles Times reported that Haskins’ friend and longtime caretaker, Kimberly Snow, confirmed the actor died around 11 p.m. on Sunday in a Burbank assisted living facility. Snow stated that Haskins chose to keep his eight-year battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues private to avoid drawing unwanted public attention. The Los Angeles Times also noted statements from Jay Schachter, head of film and television for Stewart Talent in New York City, who described the loss as tragic and emphasized Haskins’ deep affection for his fanbase. Haskins portrayed Principal Belding across seven different television series and made notable appearances in the role through 2015, including a sketch on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

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