As the sports world continues to remember Jim Kelly’s impact on the Buffalo Bills, the Hall of Fame quarterback has been left mourning the loss of a longtime friend from an entirely different corner of the entertainment world. And as Kelly said goodbye, his message revealed just how deeply the actor had touched his life.
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“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Dennis Haskins. He was a tremendous supporter of my foundations and a special part of the Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic family for 18 years. Dennis loved his fans! You will be greatly missed by all of us. RIP, my friend,” Kelly shared his grief on an Instagram post.
The familiar face behind one of television’s most beloved characters, Principal Richard Belding, actor Dennis Haskins, died at the age of 75. Haskins was involved with Kelly’s charitable work for nearly two decades, underscoring his commitment to giving back.
The reason for his death has not been officially disclosed yet, but according to TMZ’s reports, he was fighting Parkinson’s disease for several years before his death. He even cut off his contact with his close ones because he did not want anyone to know that he was suffering, and he stayed in an assisted living facility.
“It’s a tragic loss,” his agent Jay Schachter told TMZ. “Everyone loved Mr. Belding, and those of us who go to know Dennis loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED, his fans. He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly.”
Haskins was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and became known for playing principal Richard Belding on the NBC teen sitcom, which ran from 1989 to 1993. He continued playing the role in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” until 2000, and he also played the character in “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” on the Disney Channel.
Belding’s catchphrase, a string of “hey”s followed by a question about what was going on, became a pop culture staple. He was the only adult member of the regular cast once the show was moved to NBC, and he became the authority figure as “America’s favorite Principal” for that generation of viewers.
He appeared in several movies and shows, including “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “A Million Ways to Die in the West.” Even after so much fame, he never forgot his roots.
In December 2015, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, decades after he first studied there. Haskins also donated his working script collection from every episode of the sitcom to the UTC library.
For Kelly, Haskins was more than a familiar face. The Celebrity Classic has raised funds for charitable causes for years, and Kelly’s words suggest Haskins was a reliable person who brought energy and life to the event.
As tributes continue to arrive, Haskins is being remembered for the character who shaped many childhoods and for his generosity; fans and friends say he showed off-screen.