A death certificate obtained by TMZ confirms the Saved by the Bell star battled Parkinson's disease for roughly eight years before his death last month.
Dennis Haskins, the actor best known for playing Principal Richard "Mr. Belding" Belding on "Saved by the Bell," died of Parkinson's disease, according to his death certificate obtained by TMZ and reported by Page Six on Oct. 6, 2026. Haskins died Sept. 27 in Burbank, California, at age 75, ending days of speculation that followed his agent's initial announcement, which did not include a cause of death.
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What the Death Certificate Reveals
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The document listed Parkinson's disease as the official cause of death, according to Page Six and Deadline, both of which cited the certificate acquired by TMZ. It also recorded several other health conditions Haskins was living with, including irritable bowel syndrome, depression, hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. None of those additional conditions were characterized in available reporting as contributing causes of death; they appear on the certificate as separate medical issues documented at the time of his passing.
No reporting has suggested foul play or unusual circumstances surrounding Haskins' death. The certificate's disclosure on Oct. 6 resolved what had been an open question since his death was first announced more than a week earlier, when outlets including NBC News and The Associated Press reported that the cause and manner of death were unavailable.
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An Eight-Year Battle Kept Private
According to Kimberly Snow, Haskins' longtime friend and caretaker, the actor had lived with Parkinson's disease for approximately eight years before he died. Snow told The New York Times that Haskins had resided in an assisted-living facility since his diagnosis, a detail that sheds light on the chronic nature of the illness listed on his death certificate. That account, attributed directly to Snow rather than to a medical examiner, is the only available explanation for how long Haskins had been managing the disease.
The reporting does not detail the specific progression of his Parkinson's, his treatment history or the medical mechanism that led to his death. It also does not specify whether he died at the assisted-living facility, a hospital or another location in Burbank, though that city has been consistently confirmed as the place of death across multiple outlets, including Deadline and Page Six.
How the News Broke — From Silent Confirmation to Full Disclosure
Haskins' death was first confirmed in a brief statement from his longtime agent, Jay Schachter, in late September. Schachter did not disclose a cause at the time, telling outlets including The Associated Press that "it's a tragic loss" and that while audiences loved Mr. Belding, those who knew Haskins personally "loved him even more." Schachter also said Haskins "absolutely LOVED his fans" and always made time for them, a sentiment echoed across the initial wave of obituaries published by NBC News, the AV Club and The Associated Press on Sept. 29.
For roughly a week, the cause of death remained unknown, with outlets such as OK! Magazine explicitly noting the gap in public information. That uncertainty ended Oct. 6, when TMZ obtained the death certificate and Page Six, followed by Deadline, reported the Parkinson's diagnosis as the confirmed cause. The sequence underscores how celebrity death reporting often unfolds in two distinct phases: an initial announcement focused on confirming the death itself, followed by a secondary disclosure once official records become available.
Co-Stars Remember the Man Behind Principal Belding
In the days after Haskins' death was announced, former "Saved by the Bell" cast members shared tributes that emphasized his personal character over his television fame. Tiffani Thiessen, who played Kelly Kapowski, said Haskins was "a steady presence" in her teenage years, someone who "kept us in line while making sure we knew he was in his corner." Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, wrote that knowing Haskins for nearly 40 years had been "one of the truest blessings" of her life, calling him a loyal friend and "kind, gentle presence."
Mario Lopez, who portrayed A.C. Slater, described himself as heartbroken, expressing gratitude for "the laughter, memories and friendship" the two shared. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who played Zack Morris, told Page Six he had "nothing but fond memories" of Haskins, recalling him as the "older brother on set" who was always there to protect the young cast. The tributes collectively painted a portrait of an adult authority figure on a youth-centered sitcom who, off-screen, functioned as a protector to the actors he worked alongside for years.
A Legacy Defined by Bayside High
Haskins became a familiar figure to generations of viewers through his role as Principal Belding, the authority figure overseeing Bayside High School students on the NBC teen sitcom. His portrayal combined comic exasperation with genuine warmth, giving the character a recurring presence across the original series and its related spinoffs. The role's catchphrase, "Hey, hey, hey—what is going on here?", remains closely tied to the show's cultural footprint, though reports have not indicated whether it was referenced in official tributes following his death.
Haskins' career extended beyond "Saved by the Bell," though available coverage has centered almost entirely on that role, without offering a complete filmography or broader accounting of his professional credits. With the cause of death now confirmed and no pending investigation, court matter or estate dispute identified in current reporting, the public record on Haskins' death appears largely settled, leaving further details about funeral arrangements or family statements to future confirmation from his representatives.
