Saved by the Bellwas a fun and wholesome teen sitcom that centered on a colorful group of adolescents at the fictional L.A. school, Bayside High. The perpetually scheming, blue-eyed charmer Zack Morris was constantly pining for popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski, as he and his pals Slater, Lisa, Screech, and Jessie found themselves in hilarious and entertaining misadventures throughout the course of the series.
The nostalgic show ran from 1989 to 1993 for four seasons, and spawned three spin-offs and two made-for-TV-films, including a 2020 revival on Peacock. The heartwarming sitcom touted a dynamic ensemble cast led by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, and remains an enduring andpopular ‘90s television staple.Here is where the cast ofSaved by the Bellis today.
Saved By the Bell
7Mark-Paul Gosselaar — Zack Morris
Bayside High School’s resident trouble-maker and ultimate schemerZack Morriswas charmingly portrayed byMark-Paul Gosselaarfor all 86 episodes of the series, quickly becoming the sitcom’s breakout star. Famous for his epic ongoing romance with Kelly Kapowski, the character was reportedly the hardest part to cast, as TVproducer Peter Engel saidZack would “be that incorrigible kid who could lie to your face, letting you know very well that he’s lying, and make you love him for it all the same.”
After a fast read-through, then 14-year-old Gosselaar was swiftly chosen due to his handsome looks and overwhelming charisma on screen.
Continued Success on Television
After the world said goodbye to Zack and the gang in 1994, Gosselaar went on to remain aconstant presence on the small screenwith the actor notably portraying Detective John Clark Jr. onNYPD Bluefrom 2001 to 2005. He would subsequently land prominent roles inRaising the Bar, Franklin & Bash, The Passage,andMixed-ish,with Gosselaar also returning for the 2020 Peacock revival ofSaved by the Bell.
His most recent film credit was the psychological thrillerThe Portrait,and he currently stars as the dangerous criminal Sir in the crime drama seriesFound.
6Tiffani Thiessen — Kelly Kapowski
The beautiful and popular “It” girlKelly Kapowskiwas not only Bayside’s head cheerleader, but she was also a devoted student and captain of the swim, softball, and volleyball teams. Known for her ongoing will-they/won’t-they love story with the wily Zack Morris, Kelly was the envy of girls everywhere and left guys pining for her, but she truly only had eyes for the blue-eyed smooth talker.
Tiffani Amber Thiessenbecame a bonafide teen idol with her winning performance as the all-American Kelly, and her massive popularity on the show helped lead to countless television and film projects.
Related:Saved by the Bell: The Best Episodes, Ranked
Thiessen’s Teen Drama Takeover
The talented actress landed the role of the emotionally-troubled Valerie Malone in the juggernaut ’90s sensationBeverly Hills, 90210, appearing as the wayward teen from seasons 5 to 9 afterShannen Doherty’s departurefrom the series. Thiessen starred in a slew of dramatic TV movies likeThe Stranger Beside Me, Sweet Dreams,andBuried Secrets,and in films including Woody Allen’sThe Ladies ManandHollywood Ending.
She memorably portrayed event planner Elizabeth Burke inWhite Collar,and starred inJake and the Never Land Pirates, Alexa & Katie,and in theSaved by the Bellrevival.
5Mario Lopez — A.C. Slater
Army brat and likable jockAlbert Cliffort “A.C.” Slaterstarted the sitcom out as a main romantic rival for Zack Morris after he attempted to win the affections of Kelly Kapowski, but the pair eventually bonded and they swiftly became good friends. A.C. excelled at almost every sport (especially wrestling and football) and he had an ongoing relationship with passionate feminist Jessie Spano throughout their high school years.
Mario Lopezhad previously appeared in the children’s showKid’s Incorporatedand after his impressive audition forSaved by the Bell, the character was re-written and changed from Italian to Latino descent.
A Major Media Personality
While Lopez would pursue further acting roles in television shows likePacific Blue, Nip/Tuck, The Bold and the Beautiful, andThe Expanding Universe of Ashley Garciaas well as in TV films includingHoliday in HandcuffsandHusband for Hire, he truly excelled in Hollywood by just being himself.
The entertainerparticipated onDancing with the Stars,and has found major success as a TV host on shows includingAmerica’s Best Dance Crew, Extra,andThe X-Factor, with Lopez currently serving as a host onAccess Hollywood.
4Dustin Diamond — Samuel “Screech” Powers
The lovable and goofy geekSamuel “Screech” Powerswas an academic wonder who had trouble with basic social skills but nonetheless had a heart of gold. Gosselaar had pushed forDustin Diamondto be cast in the role of Zack’s nerdy sidekick after auditioning alongside him and believing the actor perfectly embodied Screech in real-life, though Diamond was considerably younger than his fellow cast members.
The 3 year age gap between the actor and his co-stars led to him feeling like an outcast during filming, and he allegedly did not get along well with the Bayside gang behind the screen.
Diamond’s Troubled Hollywood Career
Diamond portrayed Screech for nearly 13 years, playing the character from 1988 to 2000 in the showsGood Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell, and the sitcom’s two spin-offsThe College YearsandThe New Class. He became synonymous with the character, and had trouble breaking free from the persona, though he did appear in films likeJane White Is Sick & Twisted, Captured Hearts,andHamlet A.D.D.
Diamond tried his hand at a career in professional wrestling andcontroversially wrote a tell-all memoirthat was later proven to be highly-fabricated, with the actor not being asked to participate in reunions for the show.He passed awayon August 17, 2025 at the young age of 44, following a battle with small cell carcinoma.
3Elizabeth Berkley — Jessie Spano
After initially being considered for the role of Kelly Kapowski, seasoned actressElizabeth Berkleywas cast as the highly intelligent, devoted feministJessie Spanoafter casting directors didn’t want to lose the experienced star, ultimately creating the character specifically for Berkley. She had previously appeared in shows likeGimme a Break!, Silver Spoons,andDay by Day, and starred as Jessie for 75 episodes of the fan-favorite sitcom and its two television films.
Related:Saved by the Bell: Every Major Character, Ranked
A Controversial Cinematic Venture
After saying goodbye to her character Jessie in 1994, Berkley nabbed the lead role of Nomi Malone in Paul Verhoeven’s notoriousbox office bombShowgirls. The NC-17 film was critically-panned and had a negative effect on Berkley’s career at the time, resulting in the actress being dropped by her talent agency.
Though the erotic thriller has since gone on to become a cult classic and found new life in the home video market, it took a while for her career to recover. Berkley eventually bounced back and landed parts in films likeThe First Wives Club, Any Given Sunday,andStudent Seduction, and in shows includingCSI: Miami, The L Word, New Girl,and 2020’sSaved by the Bell.
2Lark Voorhies — Lisa Turtle
Bayside High School’s flirty and bold fashionistaLisa Turtleis constantly being pursued by the lovesick Screech and has also been best friends with Zack since elementary school, with the character aspiring to be a celebrated fashion designer.Lark Voorhiesfirst originated the role in Disney Channel’sGood Morning, Miss Bliss,and the show was later retooled to becomeSaved by the Bell. She had previously appeared in the sitcomsSmall WondersandThe Robert Guillaume Showbefore starring as Lisa for 86 episodes.
Sticking with the Small Screen
For her charismatic portrayal of Lisa Turtle, Voorhies won two Young Artist Awards and followed-up the vibrant role with shows likeMartin, Days of Our Lives, In the House, andThe Parkers.The actress notably originated the character of Jasmine Malone inThe Bold and the Beautiful,and worked on the filmsLongshotandHow High,before taking a step back from Hollywood to self-publish three books.
Voorhies returned to television in 2020 when she joined her former cast members for theSaved by the Bellrevival, appearing in 3 episodes.
1Dennis Haskins — Mr. Belding
Bayside High School’s devoted principal and authority figureMr. Beldingwas Zack Morris' frequent foe and sometimes friend, who was known for his love of his students and his catch phrase “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?” in the sitcom.Dennis Haskinsreprised the role after appearing as the character in the pilot forGood Morning, Miss Bliss,and playing the wholesome Mr. Belding in the subsequent television movies and spin-offs.
Haskins had worked on the showsThe Dukes of HazzardandArchie Bunker’s Placebefore taking on the part of the disciplinary principal.
Numerous Television Appearances
Haskins auditioned awhopping seven timesfor the role of Mr. Belding, and he continued playing the character until 2000 before later reuniting with his cast members in a 2015 appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The actor has remained quite busy on the small screen and has had supporting parts onIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Robot Chicken, New Girl,andHot in Cleveland,with the 2019 dramaClemencybeing one of his most recent cinematic credits.
Saved by the Bell is available to buy on Apple TV
