Dennis Haskins’ cause of death has been reported following the Saved by the Bell actor’s death on Sept. 29 at age 75.
A death certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, obtained by media outlets and reported on Oct. 7, lists Parkinson’s disease as the actor’s immediate cause of death. Haskins was best known to generations of television viewers as Principal Richard Belding.
Haskins became synonymous with Principal Belding
For many fans, Haskins’ name is inseparable from Bayside High. He played the school’s well-meaning principal across multiple versions of the franchise, becoming one of the most recognizable adult figures in the teen sitcom.
His character regularly found himself trying to keep Zack Morris and his friends out of trouble, while also delivering the mix of authority and warmth that helped make Belding memorable. The role continued beyond the original series and became a lasting part of Haskins’ public identity.
News of his death prompted tributes from viewers who grew up with the show and from people connected to the franchise.
Death certificate provides new information
Initial reports of Haskins’ death did not provide a detailed cause. The newly reported death-certificate information adds clarity, identifying Parkinson’s disease as the immediate cause.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that can affect movement and other functions. Reporting on an individual’s medical history should remain limited to confirmed information, and the death certificate is the key source for the newly disclosed cause in Haskins’ case.
The update comes a little over a week after his death, as fans continue to revisit his work and the television era that made him famous.
A lasting place in 1990s television
Saved by the Bell became a defining youth sitcom of its era, and Haskins’ performance provided a consistent adult presence amid the show’s friendships, romances and school-centered comedy.
Although he had other acting credits, Principal Belding remained the role audiences most strongly associated with him. Haskins embraced that connection over the years, appearing at reunions and events tied to the show’s enduring fan base.
His death at 75 closes another chapter in the history of a series that remains deeply nostalgic for viewers who watched it during its original run and in years of reruns.
With the cause of death now reported, attention is likely to return to Haskins’ legacy: the familiar face behind one of television’s best-known fictional principals.