A Chattanooga native and beloved actor
Dennis Haskins, remembered for his role as Principal Richard Belding on the sitcom Saved by the Bell, has passed away at 75, his friend and caretaker confirmed. No official cause of death was given, though Dimples Karaoke, a spot he frequented, said he had Parkinson's disease. That venue shared news of his death on Instagram, describing him as a fixture there and noting that plenty of customers assumed he was the owner. According to the post, he simply adored the place and its patrons, singing for them, chatting with them, and posing for selfies. Dimples shut down roughly 11 years ago, yet he remained linked to what the post termed his cherished second home.[S1]
Haskins was born in Chattanooga on Nov. 18, 1950, and went on to attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Notre Dame High School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While at college, he wrote for the student paper, took part in the Drama Club and Harlequins, chaired entertainment for the Student Government Association, and joined Blue Key Honor Fraternity and the Raven's Society. He also helped found the Harlequins community theater group, where he performed, stage managed, and penned original plays. In his entertainment chairman role, he arranged student activities and was instrumental in bringing Ike and Tina Turner to UTC in 1973.[S1]
From Bayside High to a lasting legacy
Haskins debuted as Mr. Belding in 1988 on Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which aired on the Disney Channel. The next year the series took the name Saved by the Bell and grew into one of the signature sitcoms of the 1990s. Playing Bayside High's principal won him the title America's Favorite Principal. Later he turned up in movies and series such as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and A Million Ways to Die in the West. His campus ties also fed community work: with Blue Key he assisted in running the yearly Freaks vs. Fuzz basketball game, which generated scholarship funds for children of UTC and Chattanooga police officers, and he aided efforts to broadcast Mocs basketball on NewsChannel 9.[S1]
Roughly eight years back, Haskins fell ill. Per the Instagram post from Dimples Karaoke, he kept quiet about his Parkinson's battle and other health issues because he shunned the spotlight. He didn't want to have to break the news to others and would wonder aloud what he could possibly say. The post's author honored that wish, remaining silent while supporting him through his passage into the next phase of life. That passage came to an end late the night before the post went up. He is at peace now and likely regaling those above, the post said.[S1]
