'Saved by the Bell' star is happy to help cause
The Times
Roy Lang
April 28, 2003
Dennis Haskins was arguably the most popular celebrity Sunday during the first round of the Christus Schumpert Charity Classic.
Who, you ask?
You know, Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell.
Oh yeah!
I can't tell you how many times this week I've heard "Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell will be here?"
Not oohs and ahs about John Daly, the longest hitter on the planet who will be here today. It's all about Mr. Belding.
And it's not just the 35-and-under generation either.
Haskins said he's often surprised about the diversity of the Saved by the Bell fanatics. From Romania to South Africa to Dennis Franz from NYPD Blue, the diehards come from all backgrounds.
Haskins spent nearly 11 years as the principal of Bayside High, proving, even today, clean, funny television can be successful.
Haskins has quite an affection for Louisiana, for good reason.
In 1976, Haskins got his break in showbiz - doing outdoor drama in Natchitoches.
From there it was onto The Dukes of Hazzard to Magnum P.I. and Saved by the Bell.
Since his most famous role, he's been on The West Wing, The Practice, 7th Heaven and has even been part of an E! True Hollywood Story.
Coincidentally, Haskins just returned from filming a movie with Lou Diamond Phillips in Cape Town, South Africa. The movie is set ... in Louisiana.
"The good thing is people know me as Mr. Belding," Haskins said. "The bad thing is people know me as Mr. Belding. It's tough to make people believe you can be someone besides Mr. Belding.
"But, because of my role as Mr. Belding, I have been put in a position to make many things possible, and that's what counts."
He participates in many charity events but was particularly moved by the motives behind Hal Sutton's dream.
"I just couldn't imagine losing a child," Haskins said. "At seven years old? No way."
Almost immediately, the same guy who was joking around on the golf course, clearing crowds around the tee boxes for their own safety, was slowed by the thoughts of what he was a part of on Sunday.
"Hey, I'm Mr. Belding. Kids are my cause."
That seems to be a reoccurring theme this week.
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