From cancelled show to Saved by the Bell: Why actor Dennis Haskins never left Mr Belding behind

For a generation that grew up watching Saved by the Bell, Mr Belding was more than just the principal at Bayside High. He was strict enough to keep Zach Morris and his friends in check, yet caring enough to earn their respect. Actor Dennis Haskins, who played the beloved character, died at 75, according to his friend and caretaker. Dimples Karaoke, described as his “second home”, also reported that he had been quietly battling Parkinson’s. But Haskins’ journey as Mr Belding began long before Bayside became a television institution.

Dennis Haskins never expected Mr Belding to last this long

Haskins first played the character on Good Morning, Miss Bliss, the series that eventually evolved into Saved by the Bell. At that time, he had no idea that his character would become recognisable and memorable for the entire generation. In an interview with Parade, Haskins recalled that getting the role itself had been an uncertain process. He went through a “seven-audition process” and admitted that, initially, he was simply “glad to have a job”. The cast and crew were not thinking about how long the series might run.

The wardrobe guy gave him the biggest clue

Haskins recalled in the Parade interview that Disney had chosen not to proceed with the show, although there was a possibility that ABC might pick it up. Then the strange clues began. A prop worker told Haskins that the crew had been instructed to “save the sets”. But the actor still did not know what his own future looked like. The answer came from an unexpected source.


The wardrobe worker told him, "They told me to save your suits". He also learned that he was moving on to Saved by the Bell because NBC bought the rights to four characters.

From Good Morning, Miss Bliss to a television favourite

Mr Richard Belding became a central part of Saved by the Bell, a TV series that followed Bayside students through their teenage years. Haskins continued playing Mr Belding even after the original series ended, remaining part of the franchise through Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which concluded in 2000.

Years later, in an interview with Jill Hopkins, host of The Morning AMp, he reflected on how much the character on the show meant to him. He said, “I’m blessed”, and explained that he did not do the work simply for the money, but because he loved it. Recalling the first time he encountered the role, he said, “My jaw hit the ground”, calling it “the role of a lifetime”.

Dennis Haskins and wrestling

Away from Saved by the Bell, Haskins also had a connection to professional wrestling. According to ESPN, he was once spotted at a wrestling event after being invited to appear as a guest commissioner. Haskins explained that he was friends with WWE personalities Mike “The Miz” and Zack Ryder. While fans encouraged him, he did not want to be on the road for five days a week and wanted to prioritise acting. Eventually, he agreed and appeared with Pro Wrestling Syndicate in New Jersey for one night. He said, "I went to have fun,” he recalled, “and then the world found out.”