Dennis Haskins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Haskins
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Dennis Haskins in 2018
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| Born | November 18, 1950 Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Died | September 27, 2026 (aged 75) Burbank, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1979–2020 |
| Children | 1 |
Dennis Button Haskins IV was an American actor. He became famous playing Principal Richard Belding. This popular character led Bayside High School on television. He starred in the hit teen sitcom named Saved by the Bell. The cheerful show aired on NBC from 1989 until 1993. Haskins played the funny character for many years. He appeared in several sequels and special episodes. Young television viewers loved his funny lines and big smile.
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Early Life and College Years
Dennis Haskins was born on November 18, 1950. His hometown was Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a boy, he attended school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Later, he went to Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga. Haskins enjoyed being active in different school sports. He loved basketball very much.
After finishing high school, he studied at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He joined the college basketball team there. Haskins worked hard on the basketball court. He was also a member of the college cheerleading squad. He brought lots of energy to school sports games. While studying in college, he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Haskins was curious about television work. Before acting in big shows, he tried other TV projects. He even competed on the word-puzzle game show Scrabble.
Becoming an Actor on Television
Early Television Appearances
Dennis Haskins began working as an actor during the late 1970s. He earned small guest parts on different television shows. For example, he acted in several episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard. In that action show, he played different background characters. He also had a small role on Archie Bunker's Place. He kept practicing his acting skills. He wanted to win bigger parts on television.
The Famous Mr. Belding Role
In 1988, Haskins tried out for a new family show. He auditioned seven times for the part of a school principal. His hard work paid off. He won the role of Mr. Belding on Good Morning, Miss Bliss. This comedy aired on the Disney Channel. It followed students and teachers in an Indiana school.
In 1989, the series moved to NBC and changed names. It became the famous hit comedy Saved by the Bell. Haskins was the main adult actor in the regular cast. He worked beside young stars like Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani Thiessen. Mr. Belding tried to keep the students out of trouble. Zack Morris often played funny school pranks. Mr. Belding always walked in at the right time. He often shouted his famous catchphrase: "Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?"
The funny show became a massive hit with kids and teenagers. Haskins played the beloved principal for many years. He starred in the movie Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style in 1992. Then he returned for the spin-off Saved by the Bell: The College Years. Later, he joined the cast of Saved by the Bell: The New Class. He stayed on that series from 1993 until 2000. He appeared in the TV movie Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas. Haskins played this friendly principal for over ten years.
Later Roles in Shows and Movies
Guest Spots and Movies
Dennis Haskins continued to work in movies and television programs. In 1998, he appeared on the game show Figure It Out: Family Style. In 1999, he played Boyd Russell in The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes. He also took dramatic parts on television. He appeared on the award-winning drama The West Wing in 2001. That same year, he acted as Mr. Kohls in the comedy film Max Keeble's Big Move.
Haskins played a wide variety of fun parts. In 2003, he appeared in the TV adventure movie Red Water. He also made guest visits on the family drama series 7th Heaven. He acted in crime and legal shows such as JAG. Haskins loved comedy too. In 2005, he played Coach Murray on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He had a cameo role in the film The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down. He voiced characters for the animated show Robot Chicken, including Jigsaw and Mr. Belding.
He also acted in independent movies like Ratko: The Dictator's Son and Ocean of Pearls. On television, he joined the comedy show Men of a Certain Age. He appeared on the teen comedy Victorious as his famous character Mr. Belding. In 2012, he played a scientist testing whipped toppings on the drama Mad Men. He also visited the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. In 2014, he played a traveling salesman in A Million Ways to Die in the West. That same year, he appeared on the comedy New Girl. He played a jolly Santa Claus in multiple holiday movies. In 2015, he visited the sitcom Hot in Cleveland. Later, he acted in the serious drama Clemency in 2019.
Music Projects and Internet Shows
Dennis Haskins also loved music and live entertainment. In 2009, he released a music album called Karaoke with Your Favorite Principal Dennis. He recorded popular hits such as "Piano Man". He also sang a lively duet of "Mustang Sally" with Brooke Hogan. Brooke is the daughter of wrestling star Hulk Hogan. Haskins recorded this album at Mikron Studios in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.
In 2010, he appeared in a music video with the band Iwrestledabearonce. The video paid tribute to teen movies directed by John Hughes. Haskins was a big fan of WWE professional wrestling. He made guest appearances on the YouTube series hosted by wrestler Zack Ryder. He was close friends with baseball coach Rick Honeycutt, who coached for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2016, Haskins sang on stage with a retro band named Saved by the 90s. That concert took place at a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game in Ohio.
Haskins also danced and lip-synced in popular music videos. He starred in the music video for the song "Vacation" by the group Dirty Heads. In the video, he danced happily through empty school hallways. He also appeared in a famous music video by singer Khalid. In the video for "Young Dumb & Broke", Haskins acted as a high school principal speaking over the school speaker system.
Fun Television Reunions
Fans always remembered Dennis Haskins as Mr. Belding. In 2010, he visited the late-night comedy show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. On the show, he talked about his high school sports days. In 2015, Haskins joined a big reunion on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He put on his Mr. Belding jacket once again. He acted in a special comedy sketch alongside his former co-stars. Fans around the world loved seeing the high school cast together again.
Later Years and Honors
Dennis Haskins received special honors for his long career. In 2000, his college gave him the Most Distinguished Alumni Award. His home area created an academic contest for students named The Dennis Haskins Open. This competition tests high school students on their academic knowledge.
In his final years, Haskins lived in Southern California. He fought a health condition known as Parkinson’s disease for eight years. He died on September 27, 2026, in Burbank, California, at the age of 75. Dennis Haskins will always be remembered as one of television's favorite school principals.
