Dennis Haskins' death certificate lists Parkinson's disease as cause of death
A death certificate obtained by TMZ gives Parkinson's disease as the cause of death of Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Belding in Saved by the Bell. Haskins died on 27 September in Burbank, California, aged 75.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Dennis Haskins, the actor best known as Principal Richard Belding in Saved by the Bell, died of Parkinson's disease, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. DeadlineN “died from Parkinson’s disease, according to his death certficate obtained by TMZ.” Read at Deadline ↗ Daily MailR “died at the age of 75 as a result of Parkinson's disease.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2Haskins died on 27 September in Burbank, California; the Daily Mail says the death was at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, citing officials, and gives the age as 75. Daily MailR “The actor died at Burbank, California's Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center on September 27, according to officials.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ DeadlineN “Haskins died September 27 in Burbank.” Read at Deadline ↗ Right · 1The Daily Mail reports that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health listed Parkinson's as the primary cause of death, and that the certificate also named hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Daily MailR “The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health listed the ailment as his primary cause of death in a death certificate reviewed by TMZ Tuesday.”“Haskins had also been dealing with health conditions including hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, according to the death certificate.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Centre · 1Deadline notes it had been reported that Haskins was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018 but kept the diagnosis largely private. DeadlineN “It had been reported that Haskins was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, but had kept the diagnosis largely private.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Haskins' agent, Jay Schachter, confirmed the death in a statement, calling it "a tragic loss" and saying Haskins loved fans and was a client and friend for over 20 years. DeadlineN “Haskins’ agent Jay Schachter confirmed the actor’s death to Deadline, saying in a statement, “It’s a tragic loss.” Read at Deadline ↗ Daily MailR “He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2Haskins first played Belding in Good Morning, Miss Bliss on the Disney Channel, which was retooled as Saved by the Bell on NBC and then continued as Saved by the Bell: The New Class until 2000; the outlets differ slightly on dates, Deadline saying 1989 and the Daily Mail 1988-1989 for the first series. DeadlineN “After one season, the show was retooled as Saved by the Bell on NBC, where he reprised his role through its four-season run.” Read at Deadline ↗ Daily MailR “portrayed the role of Principal Belding initially on the show Good Morning, Miss Bliss on the Disney Channel from 1988-1989.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Mixed · 2Haskins had dozens of other credits, including Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mad Men. DeadlineN “Haskins had dozens of additional acting credits, including Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” Read at Deadline ↗ Daily MailR “Haskins had also been seen on TV shows including Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Right · 1The Daily Mail adds that Haskins was a Chattanooga, Tennessee native who attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, co-founded the Harlequins community theatre group, entertained troops on USO tours, and is survived by a son, Dustin. Daily MailR “The actor had attended college at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he played on the basketball team for a season.”“Haskins was a co-founder of the community theater group Harlequins”“The actor is survived by son Dustin.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Short news item leading on the official cause of death from the certificate, followed by a career summary and the agent's statement.
- Emphasis
- The Parkinson's finding, the reported 2018 diagnosis and the long list of acting credits.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the other conditions on the certificate, the hospital, or Haskins' background before acting.
- For example
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“We now have an official cause of death for Dennis Haskins.” — Deadline
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Longer entertainment obituary leading on the cause of death one week after the death, with biography, quotes and social media tributes.
- Emphasis
- Further conditions on the certificate, the hospital, education, USO tours, past interview quotes and fan tributes on X.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the reported 2018 diagnosis or that Haskins kept it private.
- Charged language
- “beloved actor”
- For example
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“died at the age of 75 as a result of Parkinson's disease.” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- Haskins died on 27 September in Burbank, California.
- A death certificate obtained by TMZ lists Parkinson's disease as the cause of death.
- Agent Jay Schachter issued a statement calling the death a tragic loss.
Where accounts differ
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Dates of Haskins' first Belding role
- Centre
- Deadline places Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1989.
- Right
- The Daily Mail gives 1988-1989.
Dennis Haskins person
Haskins is the subject; per the death certificate Parkinson's was the cause of death. The agent describes Haskins as a great person who loved fans, and Deadline says the diagnosis had been kept largely private.
“had kept the diagnosis largely private.” — Deadline
“He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans.” — Daily Mail
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Dennis Haskins’ Cause Of Death Revealed
Neutral Concise report of the certificate's cause of death with career recap.
Right1 article
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Sympathetic Extended tribute-style obituary with additional certificate details and fan reactions.
- 6 Oct 23:50 First DeadlineN ‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Dennis Haskins’ Cause Of Death Revealed
- 7 Oct 01:21 +1h 31m Daily MailR Saved by the Bell star Dennis Haskins's cause of death revealed one week after beloved actor passed at 75
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.