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‘Saved By The Bell’ Cast Then & Now: See Original Cast From the ’90s Today

By:
August 26, 2021 5:28PM EDT

‘Saved by the Bell’ premiered in 1989 and introduced the masses to a group of lovable high school friends as they navigated the trials and tribulations of teenhood. See photos of the original cast then and now!

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Photos Of The ‘Saved By The Bell’ Cast

Photos Of The ‘Saved By The Bell’ Cast
©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio

‘Saved by the Bell’ premiered on NBC in 1989 and introduced the masses to a group of close knit high school friends at the fictional Bayside High School in Los Angeles. It followed schemer Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), cheerleader Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen), jock A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), feminist Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley), nerd ​​Samuel “Screech” Powers (Dustin Diamond), and fashion enthusiast Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies). The friends navigated relationships, breakups, and more teen woes at the school run by Principal Richard Belding. The series tackled a range of social issues, including drug use and driving under the influence, becoming a staple of ‘90s TV.

In November 2020, Peacock revived the beloved sitcom with a Saved by the Bell reboot with returning cast members Mario and Elizabeth reprising their roles as full-time cast members. Mark-Paul also reprises his role as Zack, now the governor of California who merges low-income high schools with higher-performing institutions, including Bayside High. The revival has since been renewed for a second season. Swipe through for photos of the ‘Saved by the Bell’ cast then and now.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater

Mario Lopez as A.C. Slater
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Mario Lopez starred as A.C. Slater, Zack’s best friend and Bayside High’s star athlete who was involved in the football and wrestling team in the original series. Mario reprises his role in the Peacock series, now a football coach at his former fictional high school. 

Following the end of Saved by the Bell’s original run, Mario went on to star in countless films and TV shows, such as Dancing With the Stars and Jane the Virgin. He has also served as host on a number of popular programs, including Extra and Access Hollywood.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski

Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Tiffani Thiessen starred as Kelly Kapowski, a popular cheerleader and captain of the volleyball, swim, and softball team at Bayside High. After an on-again, off-again relationship with Zack, the duo eventually get married, as evidenced in the revival, making her the first lady of California.

Along with her role as Kelly, Tiffani is also known for her role as Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210, which aired at the same general time. Post-Saved by the Bell, Tiffani has gone on to star in countless TV shows, including Dinner at Tiffani’s, White Collar, and Alexa and Katie.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano

Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Elizabeth Berkley starred as Jessie Spano, a feminist and bookworm at Bayside High. A close friend of Zack, Kelly, Screech, and Lisa, Jessie was also on-again, off-again love interest of Slater. Elizabeth reprises her role in the revival. Jessie is now a guidance counselor at her old high school, where her son also attends. While Slater and Jessie aren’t together in the first season of the revival, it’s clear the sparks still remain. 

Following the end of Saved by the Bell‘s initial run, Elizabeth has made her mark in TV and film. She has starred in The First Wives Club, Showgirls, and CSI: Miami.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris

Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Mark-Paul Gosselaar starred as schemer Zack Morris, the main protagonist of the series. A well-liked student in the original series, Zack reprises his role in the revival as Governor of California. Zack shares a son, Mac, a student at Bayside High, with wife Kelly in the reboot.

Following the end of the sitcom’s initial run, Mark-Paul has gone on to star in a series of TV shows and movies, including Mixed-ish, Raising the Bar, and The Passage.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Dustin Diamond as ​​Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers

Dustin Diamond as ​​Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

The late Dustin Diamond starred as ​​Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers, the school nerd who has been friends with Zack since they were children. The actor died on February 1, 2021 at the age of 44 from lung cancer. He did not appear in the Peacock revival, which debuted a year earlier. Dustin previously told ‘TMZ’ that he was not contacted about appearing on the reboot.

In the reboot, it’s revealed that Screech moved to the International Space Station. As for his absence, fans have speculated that this could be attributed to his 2009 tell-all book ‘Behind the Bell’, which did not paint the best picture of his former co-stars. He alleged that his co-stars hooked up and used drugs on set, but eventually walked back the claims. 

Dustin also released an infamous sex tape back in 2006 titled ‘Screeched: Saved by the Smell?’ In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2013, he cited his embarassment and said he used a stunt person. ‘I had been working for the last 10 years, every single week,’ he said. ‘I felt lost. As I mature I realize, wow, I was kind of going through my rebellious teens in my 20s.’

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Lark Voohies as Lisa Turtle

Lark Voohies as Lisa Turtle
Everett Collection/SplashNews

Lark Voohies starred as Lisa Turtle, Bayside High’s resident fashion expert and gossip mill. Initially not asked to return to the reboot (a decision that made her feel ‘slighted’ and ‘hurt,’ per previous interviews, Lark ultimately reprises her role in the Peacock reboot, working a successful career in fashion.

Following the end of the sitcom’s initial run, Lark went on to star in some TV shows and films, including ‘In the House’, ‘Civil Brand’, and ‘How High’.

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM
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Dennis Haskins as Principal Richard Belding

Dennis Haskins as Principal Richard Belding
Everett Collection/Shutterstock

Dennis Haskins starred as Richard Belding, principal of Bayside High who had to contend with the shenanigans of Zack and co. He also became a bit of a mentor to the teens throughout the series. Dennis doesn’t reprise his role in the reboot, given that it focuses on a new generation of students. Given the reboot’s season two renewal, though, a Richard Belding cameo could still be possible.

Since the end of the sitcom’s initial run, Dennis has gone on to star in a few other TV shows and movies, including ‘Victorious’, ‘Max Keeble’s Big Move’, and ‘Red Water.’

August 23, 2021, 10:34AM