Saved By The Bell Cast: Where Are They Now?
After a 27-year hiatus, Saved By The Bell made a brief return to television with a two-season reboot on Peacock. The revival brought back fan favourites like Jessie Spano and A. C. Slater as staff members, while Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski made guest appearances. However, not all original cast members were invited back, leading to public appeals and emotional reunions.
The Reboot and Cast Reunions
The reboot introduced a new generation of students at Bayside High, but it was the return of beloved characters that thrilled long-time fans. Lark Voorhies, who played Lisa Turtle, eventually secured a guest role after expressing feeling "slighted and hurt" by her initial exclusion. Tragically, Dustin Diamond, the actor behind Screech, was not asked to return before his death in 2021. The reboot paid tribute to him in its second season.
Zack Morris - Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, now 51, reprised his role as Zack in guest appearances and launched the 'Zack to the Future' podcast, though he finds revisiting the series "a little bit torturous". Post-Saved By The Bell, he starred as attorney Peter Bash in Franklin and Bash and took on villainous roles in thrillers like Found. He also revealed past romantic relationships with his female co-stars during filming.
Kelly Kapowski - Tiffani Thiessen
Tiffani Thiessen, 52, continued her acting career with roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and White Collar. She made a nostalgic appearance in the reboot, stating she prefers "the originals". In the revival, her character Kelly became the First Lady of California, showcasing her enduring appeal.
A. C. Slater - Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez, 52, transitioned from acting to become a successful TV host on shows like Access Hollywood and Extra. He returned as a gym teacher in the reboot, describing it as "like riding a bike". Lopez has faced controversy for past comments on gender identity, which he later retracted, emphasising his support for the LGBTQ community.
Jessie Spano - Elizabeth Berkley
Elizabeth Berkley, 53, took on the lead role in the infamous film Showgirls after Saved By The Bell. She has since appeared in series like Cobra Kai and participated in Dancing with the Stars. In the reboot, she returned as a school counsellor, continuing her character's advocacy for justice.
Samuel 'Screech' Powers - Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond's life after Saved By The Bell was marked by scandal and tragedy. He served a prison sentence for weapon charges and released an adult film titled Screeched - Saved by the Smell, which he later expressed embarrassment over. Diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, he died in 2021 at age 44. Diamond also made allegations about cast members in a book, which he later claimed were fabricated.
Lisa Turtle - Lark Voorhies
Lark Voorhies, 51, has spoken openly about her mental health struggles, including a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. She felt excluded from the reboot initially but eventually appeared in both seasons. Post-Saved By The Bell, she acted in shows like Days of Our Lives and pursued music with bands like Third Degree.
Mr Belding - Dennis Haskins
Dennis Haskins, 75, continued acting with roles in Mad Men and How I Met Your Mother, and returned as Mr Belding in the Disney series Victorious. His character remains iconic for his catchphrases and fatherly relationship with Zack Morris.
The original Saved By The Bell cast have navigated diverse paths, from Hollywood success to personal challenges, leaving a lasting legacy in television history.
