Saved by the Bell alum Dennis Haskins’ cause of death has been revealed one week after his passing.
According to his death certificate, obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, October 6, Haskins immediate cause of death was listed as Parkinson’s disease. (Parkinson’s disease is a “movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time,” according to Mayo Clinic.)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health noted that the late actor was also dealing with other “significant conditions,” including irritable bowel syndrome, depression, hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate), per the outlet.
The death certificate also revealed that Haskins died at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.
Us has reached out to Haskins’ agent for comment.
Us previously confirmed Haskins died on September 28 at the age of 75.
“It’s a tragic loss,” the actor’s spokesperson confirmed to Us at the time. “Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more.”
Haskins’ rep called him a “great person,” who “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. I’m heartbroken,” he added.
Following his death, Haskins’ friend and caretaker Kimberly Snow revealed to The New York Times that he’d been residing in an assisted living facility after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years prior.
Snow was a bartender at a local bar called Dimples Karaoke, which Haskins frequented, until it closed in 2014. The establishment paid homage to Haskins following his passing, giving insight into his final years.
“About eight years ago, he became ill. He had been silent about his fight with Parkinson’s, among other health concerns, because he did not want the attention,” Dimples Karaoke wrote via Instagram. “He did not want to have to tell people. He would say, ‘What do I even say?’ So I respected his wishes and stayed quiet, and I helped him through his journey into the next chapter of his life.”
The statement, which appeared to be written by Snow, continued, “Late last night, that journey ended for him. He is now at peace and is probably entertaining the people in the sky. Just know that if you tried to reach out to him in the last few years, I did read your messages to him, and you were heard.”
She noted, “After I said my final goodbyes to him last night, I was across the hall signing some paperwork. I looked up and saw that the room he had been in was a gift from the Mario Lopez Golf Classic, and somehow, that made me feel a little better. What a cool and amazing life he had. Rest in peace, Dennis. You were very much loved and will never be forgotten.”
Haskins was best known for playing Principal Richard Belding, a character he originated for the short-lived comedy Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988.
When the sitcom was revamped as Saved by the Bell in 1989, Haskins’ character was one of the few carried over. During his time on the hit NBC series, which ran from 1989 to 1992, Mr. Belding became a beloved character that fans loved to hate.
Mr. Belding’s legacy didn’t end there, Haskins brought Zack Morris’ (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) nemesis to the spinoff Saved by the Bell: The New Class from 1993 to 2000. He later reprised the role in a cameo capacity for Saved by the Bell: The College Years and the TV movie Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas.
“Heartbroken to hear about my old friend Dennis Haskins. He played the principal, but Dennis was the biggest kid on the SBTB set,” Mario Lopez, who played A.C. Slater, wrote via Instagram in honor of his late friend. “If you knew him, you loved him — and if there was karaoke, you knew Dennis was getting on that mic! I’m grateful for the laughs, the memories, and the friendship we shared all these years. Rest easy, my friend. You’ll always be part of our Bayside family. ❤️.”
Tiffani Thiessen, who played hot girl Kelly Kapowski, also paid tribute to her former costar, writing via Instagram, “Dennis Haskins was a steady presence in my teenage years, the kind of figure who kept us in line while making sure we knew he was in our corner. I will always remember his kindness and be grateful for the memories we as a cast got to share with him. RIP Mr. B.”
