Peter Engel, Iconic TV Producer of ‘Saved by the Bell,’ Dies at 88

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Peter Engel, a pioneering television producer known for his work on iconic youth-oriented sitcoms including ‘Saved by the Bell‘ and ‘Last Comic Standing,’ passed away Tuesday at his home. He was 88 years old. Engel’s family confirmed his death but did not provide a cause.

Engel’s remarkable career spanned over four decades, during which he executive produced more than 1,000 episodes of television, primarily through a long-term partnership with NBC. His most notable work, ‘Saved by the Bell,’ aired from 1989 to 1993 and became a cultural staple for Generation X and millennials alike, showcasing the lives of high school friends navigating adolescence at the fictional Bayside High School in California.

The show originally began as ‘Good Morning, Miss Bliss‘ on Disney Channel, featuring Hayley Mills. After just one season, Engel restructured the show, realigning its focus and setting before it transitioned to NBC. This strategic change marked the beginning of a hugely successful franchise, which has since expanded to include two spinoffs: ‘Saved by the Bell: The College Years’ and ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class,’ alongside a 2020 reboot on Peacock that Engel also executive produced.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley, and Lark Voorhies were among the young stars launched into fame from the series. Engel’s influence on youth television was profound, leading to the creation of several other teen sitcoms such as ‘California Dreams,’ ‘City Guys,’ and ‘Hang Time,’ all produced under his production company.

Engel’s contributions to television were recognized with multiple accolades, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for ‘Last Comic Standing’ in 2004 and a Daytime Emmy nomination for ‘Saved by the Bell: The New Class’ in 2000. He was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for children’s and family programming in 2023, celebrating his distinguished service in the industry.

Born in Manhattan in 1936, Engel graduated from New York University and kickstarted his career as an NBC page at Rockefeller Center in New York. He moved to Los Angeles in 1967, where he would ultimately build his legacy in television production.

In 2016, he published his memoir, ‘I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams that Do Come True,’ in which he reminisced about both his career and personal experiences.

Peter Engel is survived by his three children, Lauren, Joshua, and Stephen David Engel, as well as his grandchild, Ezra Alhadeff. His legacy will continue to resonate through the many shows that shaped the landscape of teen television.