Chattanooga's Dennis Haskins featured on Oprah's 'Where Are They Now'

Dennis Haskins
Dennis Haskins
photo Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student Dennis Haskins holds a photograph of the cast from the television show Saved By The Bell on Thursday as he speaks to students at the University Center auditorium.

Chattanooga native Dennis Haskins will be one of four celebrities featured on "Where Are They Now?" on Oprah's OWNTV at 10 p.m. Saturday.

The actor is best known for his role as Principal Belding on the hit television show "Saved By the Bell." The show aired from 1989-1992 and was an iconic show for people of a certain age. Haskins said he continues to meet and hear from fans who genuinely care about it.

"The thing is, with somebody who really cares about the show and loves it, it's fun to talk about it," Haskins said. "Producer Liz Williams is a fan, so it was a wonderful conversation. We talked and talked and talked for the sit-down interview and then we went to this place called Fox Fire Room that had karaoke. She invited people from the office and about 30 of them came over.

"The show is just special to people who care about it."

Haskins, 66, attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Notre Dame High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has lived in Los Angeles for more than three decades and continues to act and make personal appearances. He plays Santa Claus in the film "Holly, Jingles and Clyde," due out in 2017.

Haskins said he did not meet Oprah Winfrey, but he was told that she knew where he lives in Los Angeles.

"How, or why, does she know the neighborhood where I live? I was shaking my head."

Haskins said the show on Saturday "is a loving, kind look at 'Saved By the Bell,'" but it also looks at his earlier work on "Dukes of Hazard."

Other celebrities featured on "Where Are They Now?" will be singer Meat Loaf, rapper MC Lyte and rapper Bizzy Bone.

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-747-6354.

Upcoming Events