Dennis Haskins, Mr. Belding, and the Memories We Made at Bayside High!

The other day I was working and I had gone to Facebook to share a post I had written and I saw Mr. Belding from Saved By The Bell had pased away. I found myself stopping and remembering Saved By The Bell which I’ve watched with Charlie and David and even my sister.

Today I would like to ask you to stop what your doing and join me in remembering the man behind Mr. Belding, the gang from Saved by the Bell, and the television memories that became part of our family. For my family there are some television shows that you watch and enjoy, and then there are those special shows that become part of your family. For Charlie and me, Saved by the Bell is definitely one of those shows!

When I heard that Dennis Haskins had passed away, and that he was without a doubt the actor who played Principal Richard Belding, the man who was always trying to keep Zack Morris and his friends out of trouble at Bayside High School I knew it was time to binge watch the show.

Dennis passed away on September 27, 2026, at the age of 75. So many of us remember him as Mr. Belding, and I think it is only fitting that we take a moment to thank him for the laughter and memories he brought into our homes. (Source: Los Angeles Times.)

Charlie and I absolutely love the cast of Saved by the Bell. We can sit down and watch an episode and find ourselves laughing out loud. If you’ve never watched the show, I encourage you to give it a try. You might just discover why so many of us still love these characters years later.

And if you think Charlie and I are just casual fans, let me tell you something else. We even have the Saved by the Bell UNO card game in our family! Charlie also has a great Saved by the Bell shirt. Yes, we love this show that much! For our family some shows are more than something we turn on the television to watch. They become part of our family, and this is one of those shows for us.

Dennis Haskins brought Mr. Belding to life. He was the principal who was forever trying to figure out what Zack and his friends were up to. And just when you thought those kids might finally behave themselves, something else would happen! Which is what made the show so funny.

My family also remembers Dustin Diamond, who played Screech Powers who passed away in 2021 and his death is something we still haven’t gotten over like Paul Walker’s from Fast and the Furious. Losing these familiar faces reminds us that the people we watched on television can become part of our lives in ways we may not even realize until years later.

We may never have met these actors personally, but we laughed with them, watched their stories unfold, and shared those moments with our families. Thank you, Dennis, for the memories. Mr. Belding will always be one of those television characters we remember fondly.

Now its not many time when you will hear me say David Was Right! But he thought he remembered Dennis Haskins from other shows we had watched and he was right. Now, before you ask me if I’m going to tell David he was right no, because it would go to his head and we would never hear the end of it.

Dennis appeared in a variety of television programs and movies beyond Saved by the Bell. His credits included The Dukes of Hazzard, and CHiPs two of my sister’s all time favorite shows, Knots Landing a show I watched with my Grandma, Magnum, P.I. another show Charlie and I like, The Twilight Zone a show you will not see Charlie or I watching no, way no, how but David would,

He was also in The West Wing which I’ve never watched, How I Met Your Mother which I didn’t know, Mad Men another show Charlie and I watch, and New Girl a show I don’t remember. He also appeared in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the movie A Million Ways to Die in the West which I haven’t seen either of these have you?

When I saw CHiPs on the list, I immediately thought about my sister. That was one of her shows, and David loved it, too. I guess I need to tell both of them that Dennis appeared in one of their favorites! Then there is Knots Landing. I watched that show with my grandma, but I never realized Dennis had appeared in it. Isn’t it funny how you can watch a show for years and never recognize an actor who later becomes famous for another role?

And Magnum, P.I.? Oh my goodness! That is absolutely a Charlie-and-my show. We love watching it together, so now I have another reason to look up Dennis’s earlier television appearances. The West Wing is a show I have always wanted to watch but haven’t gotten around to yet. I’ve seen Mad Men a couple of times, although I never really got into it.

But A Million Ways to Die in the West? I might have a new movie to add to my watch list! It’s amazing how one actor can connect so many different shows and memories. David gave me a reason to look beyond Bayside High, and I am glad he did. Another show that brings back special memories for me is 7th Heaven.

Suzzane, my nephew David Michael, and I watched that show every single week. Those are memories I treasure, and even thinking about the show takes me back to those times we spent together. Not, only that Charlie, David and I’ve watched that show from beginning to end and still watch it at times.

When I started looking into Dennis’s other television appearances, I wondered whether I had missed him on 7th Heaven, too. I haven’t been able to confirm a specific guest role, so I don’t want to tell you he played a particular character without checking the episode credits.

But that search brought me back to the memories of watching the show with Suzanne and David Michael, and that is something worth remembering all by itself. Sometimes a television show becomes connected to the people sitting beside us. Years later, when we see the show again or hear its theme music, those people come to mind.

That is one of the things I love about sharing stories on Greatful Moments. A television memory might seem small to somebody else, but to us, it can be a connection to the people we love and the moments we want to keep close. Now, we cannot remember Dennis Haskins without talking about the rest of the gang! Or at least I can’t. Can you?

Zack Morris — Mark-Paul Gosselaar- Zack was the quick-thinking troublemaker who always seemed to have a plan. Mark-Paul Gosselaar continued acting after Saved by the Bell, appearing in shows including NYPD Blue and Franklin & Bash. He also returned as Zack in the 2020 revival of Saved by the Bell.

A.C. Slater — Mario Lopez– How could I almost forget Slater? Mario Lopez went on to build a career in acting and television hosting. Many viewers know him from his work on Extra, and he has continued to stay busy in entertainment long after his days at Bayside High including Hallmark movies.

Kelly Kapowski — Tiffani Thiessen– Kelly was at the center of one of the show’s biggest romantic questions. Tiffani Thiessen continued acting after the series, including playing Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210 one of my all time favorite TV Shows. She also became known for her work in cooking television.

Jessie Spano — Elizabeth Berkley

Jessie was smart, outspoken, and passionate about the things she believed in. Elizabeth Berkley continued working in film and television and returned to the Saved by the Bell world in the revival.

Lisa Turtle — Lark Voorhies Lisa brought style, humor, and plenty of personality to the group. Lark Voorhies continued acting and writing and also returned for the 2020 revival.

Screech Powers — Dustin Diamond– Screech was the unforgettable friend whose funny moments helped make the show what it was. Dustin Diamond continued working in entertainment after Saved by the Bell. His death in 2021 was a sad loss for fans who had grown up watching him. Including my family.

And, of course, there was Dennis Haskins as Mr. Belding. He continued playing the familiar principal in Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class. He became one of the faces most closely associated with the entire franchise.

Now, I have a question for you. Do you remember when the gang grew up and left Bayside High School? Some of us followed them into college, too! There was Saved by the Bell: The College Years, which followed Zack, Slater, Screech, and their friends as they began a new chapter of their lives. We got to see familiar characters experience new relationships, challenges, and adventures.

And let’s not forget Saved by the Bell: The New Class! We returned to Bayside High School with a new generation of students, while Mr. Belding was still there trying to keep everything under control. You know what I think is funny about all of this? Even the principal followed them!

And that brings me to a story from my own life. When I was in junior high, I had a principal named Mr. Watkins. I remember thinking, “Oh, thank the Lord! When I leave middle school, I will finally be done with him!” Yep, I really thought I was getting away from him. Guess what NOPE! NOPE! NOPE! I left middle school, went on to high school, and there was Mr. Watkins! HE FOLLOWED ME!

I thought I had escaped, but apparently I wasn’t going to get away from my principal that easily. So when I think about Mr. Belding continuing to appear as the kids moved into their next adventures, I can’t help but laugh. Apparently, some principals just aren’t ready to let their students go!

Now I want to know whether anybody else had a teacher or principal who seemed to follow them everywhere. Did you think you had left somebody behind at one school, only to run into them again at the next one? Please tell me I’m not the only one! Come one share.

Now we get to the question I really want everybody to answer! Were you Team Zack Morris or Team A.C. Slater? When it came to Kelly Kapowski, did you think Zack was the right guy for her, or were you hoping Slater would win her heart? And I want to know why! Don’t just tell me which one you liked. Tell me what made you choose him.

Personally, I always thought A.C. Slater belonged with Jessie Spano! Yes, I said it! I thought Slater and Jessie made sense together. They had different personalities, and I liked the idea of them finding a way to understand each other. I know plenty of fans were focused on Zack and Kelly, but I want to know whether anybody else was rooting for Jessie and Slater.

Did you agree with me, or did you think Zack and Kelly were meant to be together all along? And what about Lisa Turtle? Did she get the love story you wanted for her, or did you have somebody else in mind? Let’s talk about it! One of the fun things about loving a television show is getting to debate the characters and their relationships long after the episodes have ended. Charlie and I want to hear your opinions!

If you want to revisit Bayside High School, here is a little background to help you find your way back. The original Saved by the Bell series aired on NBC from August 20, 1989, through May 22, 1993. Across four seasons, we followed Zack, Slater, Screech, Kelly, Jessie, and Lisa through high school, friendships, relationships, and all the trouble Zack could manage to get himself into.

Saved by the Bell: The College Years followed in 1993–1994, and Saved by the Bell: The New Class introduced a new group of students at Bayside from 1993 through 2000. If you want to watch today, check your preferred streaming services and digital video stores for Saved by the Bell, The College Years, and The New Class. Availability can change, so make sure to check the individual series before settling in for a trip back to Bayside. You can also look for DVD releases if you prefer having your favorite episodes on hand. And if you already own the series, this might be the perfect time to pull it out and enjoy a few episodes again!

Charlie and I have our Saved by the Bell UNO card game, and Charlie has his great shirt. That got me thinking about how many other fans have special memories, favorite characters, or collectibles of their own. So I’ve put together a free, printable fan-memory sheet to go along with this article. You can write down your favorite character, your favorite episode, which team you supported, and even a school memory of your own.

Print it out, fill it in, and share your answers with your family. It’s a fun way to remember a show that brought so many of us together. Come Share Your Memories With Us! Now it’s your turn! Charlie and I would love to hear from other Saved by the Bell fans.

Did you watch the show when it first aired, or did you discover it later? Did you follow the gang into college? Did you watch The New Class? Do you own any collectibles, games, or favorite shirts? Most importantly, were you Team Zack or Team Slater, and who did you want Kelly to end up with? Did you agree with me that Slater belonged with Jessie?

Tell us your favorite episode, your favorite character, and the memories you have of watching the show. And if you ever had a principal like Mr. Watkins who seemed to follow you from one school to the next, I definitely want to hear that story, too!

Thank you, Dennis Haskins, for the laughter, the memories, and for being part of a show that became part of our family. Mr. Belding will always be remembered as one of those familiar faces who made us laugh and gave us something to share with the people we love.

You can print the free fan-memory sheet, fill it out, and use it to help you remember your favorite moments.

Now come join Charlie and me in the comments. Let’s talk about Bayside High, our favorite characters, and the memories that stay with us long after the television is turned off!

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

GreatfulMoments.com

Thank you,

Glenda Cates