Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard “Mr. Belding” on Saved by the Bell, died at the age of 75. His death was confirmed on September 28, 2026, by his longtime agent and friend Jay Schachter, who described it as a “tragic loss.” Schachter had represented Haskins for more than 20 years and said the actor always made time for his fans.
Haskins first played Mr. Belding on Good Morning, Miss Bliss before the series was reworked as Saved by the Bell. He continued the role through the original series and later returned as the principal in Saved by the Bell: The New Class. His death came after a long career in television, film and entertainment that also included music promotion, karaoke performances and professional wrestling appearances.
His official cause of death had not been publicly disclosed as of September 29, 2026. A tribute from Dimples Karaoke, a Burbank venue closely associated with Haskins, said he had privately battled Parkinson’s disease for about eight years. His family life was also largely private. Biographical records identify Sarah Dianne Goins as his former wife and Dustin Haskins as their child.
What Was Dennis Haskins’ Cause of Death?
Dennis Haskins’ official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed as of September 29, 2026. His longtime agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed his death but did not provide a cause or additional medical details. Variety and other outlets reporting the death also noted that no cause had been released.
Haskins’ health became part of the public discussion after Dimples Karaoke shared a tribute following his death. The Burbank karaoke venue said Haskins had become ill about eight years earlier and had kept his health problems private. The tribute specifically mentioned Parkinson’s disease and said Haskins did not want attention surrounding his health.
Haskins was 75 when he died. He was born on November 18, 1950, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Where Had Dennis Haskins Been Living Before His Death?
Dennis Haskins had long-standing connections to both Southern California and Chattanooga. His acting career was closely tied to Los Angeles, while Chattanooga remained important to him throughout his life.
Haskins was a regular at Dimples Karaoke in Burbank, California, for many years. In 2014, he described the venue as his “Cheers” and said he had been going there for about 14 years. Dimples later closed in 2015, but Haskins remained closely associated with the venue and its community.
He also maintained a strong connection to Chattanooga, where he was born and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He returned to the university to complete his bachelor’s degree in theater in 2015 after leaving before graduation decades earlier.
Haskins has also stated that he divided his time between Los Angeles and Winthrop, Massachusetts. However, his exact residence immediately before his death is not revealed.
Dennis Haskins’ Wife: Was He Married?
Dennis Haskins was previously married to Sarah Dianne Goins. The couple also reportedly had a son Dustin Haskins before getting divorced.
Unfortunately, there are no exact wedding date, length of the marriage or reason for their divorce revealed so far.
Where Is Dennis Haskins’ Ex-Wife Sarah Dianne Goins Now?
There is limited reliable recent information about Sarah Dianne Goins’ current life.
Who Are Dennis Haskins’ Children?
Dennis Haskins had one publicly identified child, his son Dustin Haskins.
Haskins is currently survived by his son Dustin.
There is limited reliable public information about Dustin Haskins’ private life and career. He was not a central part of his father’s entertainment career, so details about his work, residence and personal life have not been widely documented.
What Was Dennis Haskins’ Net Worth at the Time of His Death?
Haskins’ estimated net worth is between $100,000 and $1 million.
Haskins’ career included more than three decades of acting and television work. His best-known role as Mr. Belding gave him a long-running connection to the Saved by the Bell franchise, while later credits included The West Wing, How I Met Your Mother, Mad Men, New Girl, Hot in Cleveland and Clemency.
He also earned income from other entertainment activities. Haskins worked in music promotion before becoming a full-time actor and later released a karaoke album, Karaoke With Your Favorite Principal Dennis Haskins A.K.A. Mr. Belding, in 2009.
Who Inherits Dennis Haskins’ Wealth After His Death?
It is not publicly established who will inherit Dennis Haskins’ estate. Dustin Haskins is publicly identified as his son, while Sarah Dianne Goins is his former wife. However, a family relationship alone does not establish how an estate will be distributed.
The distribution of an estate can depend on a will, trust arrangements, beneficiary designations and applicable inheritance law. No reliable public source has disclosed the contents of Haskins’ estate plan following his death.
Therefore, it would be premature to state that Dustin Haskins automatically inherits his father’s wealth.
Dennis Haskins’ Life and Career at a Glance
Dennis Haskins built a career around acting, television and entertainment, with Mr. Belding becoming his defining role. He also maintained strong connections to Chattanooga and professional wrestling while continuing to work in television and film after Saved by the Bell ended.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dennis Button Haskins IV |
| Birth date | November 18, 1950 |
| Birthplace | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Age at death | 75 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Best known for | Principal Richard Belding / Mr. Belding |
| Major show | Saved by the Bell |
| Earlier Belding role | Good Morning, Miss Bliss |
| Later Belding role | Saved by the Bell: The New Class |
| Education | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
| Degree | Bachelor’s degree in theater, completed in 2015 |
| Former wife | Sarah Dianne Goins |
| Children | One publicly identified child — Dustin Haskins |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Known health condition before death | Parkinson’s disease was reportedly battled privately |
| Net worth | No verified public figure |
Dennis Haskins’ Career Beyond Saved by the Bell
Dennis Haskins began working in entertainment before becoming widely known as an actor. He worked as a music manager, agent and concert promoter and developed connections with performers including Tom Jones and Gregg Allman. He later moved into acting and appeared in television productions including The Dukes of Hazzard, Archie Bunker’s Place, Magnum, P.I. and The Twilight Zone.
His defining opportunity came with the role of Richard Belding. Haskins first played the character on Good Morning, Miss Bliss in the late 1980s. When the series was reworked as Saved by the Bell, he remained as the principal of Bayside High School. He later continued the character in Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
After the franchise, Haskins continued appearing in television and film. His credits included The West Wing, 7th Heaven, JAG, How I Met Your Mother, Mad Men, New Girl, Hot in Cleveland and A Million Ways to Die in the West. He also reunited with several Saved by the Bell cast members for a 2015 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Haskins also had a connection to professional wrestling. He was a longtime WWE fan and appeared in Zack Ryder’s Z! True Long Island Story. In 2012, ESPN reported that Haskins had also served as a guest commissioner for a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event after being introduced to the wrestling scene through friends connected to WWE.
His interest in music continued after his acting career became established. In 2009, he released Karaoke With Your Favorite Principal Dennis Haskins A.K.A. Mr. Belding, a collection that reflected his long-running interest in karaoke and live performance.
Dennis Haskins therefore became associated with much more than one television character. His career connected acting, music promotion, karaoke, television, film and professional wrestling, while his strongest public identity remained Principal Richard Belding.
