Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem at the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, September 17, 1989
Born	Kemal Amin Kasem (1932-04-27) April 27, 1932 Detroit, Michigan, US
Nationality	American
Education	Northwestern High School (Michigan)
Alma mater	Wayne State University
Occupation(s)	Radio personality Voice actor
Years active	1954–2013
Spouse(s)	Linda Myers ​ (m. 1972⁠–⁠1979)​ (divorced), Jean Kasem ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	With Linda Myers: Kerri Kasem, 2 others. With Jean Kasem: 1

Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem (born April 27, 1932) is an American former radio personality and voice actor, known for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show American Top 40 and for playing the character Shaggy in the Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo.

Kasem, Don Bustany and Ron Jacobs founded the American Top 40 franchise in 1970, hosting it from 1970 to 1988 and from 1998 to 2004. Between January 1989 and early 1998, he was the host of Casey's Top 40, Casey's Hot 20, and Casey's Countdown. Also beginning in 1998 Kasem hosted two adult contemporary spinoffs of American Top 40, American Top 20 and American Top 10. Kasem retired from AT20 and AT10 on July 4, 2009 and both shows ended on that day.

In addition to his radio shows, Kasem has provided the voice of many commercials; has done many voices for Sesame Street; provided the character voice of Peter Cottontail in the Rankin/Bass production of Here Comes Peter Cottontail; was the voice of NBC; helps out with the annual Jerry Lewis telethon; and provided the cartoon voices of Robin in Super Friends, Mark on Battle of the Planets, and a number of characters for the Transformers cartoon series of the 1980s. In 2008, he was the voice of Out of Sight Retro Night which aired on WGN America, but was replaced by rival Rick Dees. After 40 years, Casey retired from his role of voicing Shaggy in 2009, although he did voice Shaggy's father in the 2010 TV series, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. Kasem's daughter Kerri Kasem has followed in her father's footsteps by hosting the nationally syndicated Sixx Sense and The Sideshow Countdown for Clear Channel Communications, among other shows.

Kasem's signature sign-off was "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

Early life

Kasem was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Lebanese Druze parents who emigrated from the British Mandate of Palestine to Lebanon. After arriving in the United States, they settled in Michigan, where they worked as grocers. Kasem is a graduate of Northwestern High School in Detroit and Wayne State University.

Radio

1950s–1960s

Kasem, whose professional radio career started in the mid-1950s in Flint, Michigan, was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and sent to Korea, where he was a DJ/announcer on the Armed Forces Radio Korea Network. He developed his rock-trivia persona from his work as a disc jockey in the early 1960s at KYA in San Francisco, California, and KEWB in Oakland, California. He also worked for several other stations across the country, including WJW (now WKNR) in Cleveland, Ohio; WBNY (now WWWS) in Buffalo, New York; and KRLA 1110 in Los Angeles, California (1963–69), before launching the national show American Top 40 on July 4, 1970.

1970s–1980s

Kasem is best known as a music historian and disc jockey, most notably as host of the weekly American Top 40 radio program from July 4, 1970, through 1988, and again from March 1998 until January 10, 2004, when Ryan Seacrest succeeded him. During Kasem's original run (1970–88), his show featured certain songs in addition to the countdown, such as a "long distance dedication" from one listener to another; or, the song of a "spotlight artist." On the July 4th weekend of each year, the show's anniversary, Kasem often featured a special countdown of particular songs from a certain era, genre or artist. The Moody Blues were the only artist to appear in both Kasem's first countdown on July 4, 1970, and his last on August 6, 1988. Kasem hosted a spin-off television show called America's Top 10 for most of the 1980s. For a period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kasem was the staff announcer for the NBC television network. More recently, he has appeared in infomercials, marketing CD music compilations. Kasem received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 27, 1981, his 49th birthday, and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1992. When he was hosting American Top 40, Kasem would often include trivia facts about songs he played and artists whose work he showcased. Frequently, he would mention a trivia fact about an unnamed singer before a commercial break, then provide the name of the singer after returning from the break. This technique, called a tease, later also made its way into America's Top 10, where viewers would submit trivia questions for him to answer. In 1971, he provided the character voice of Peter Cottontail in the Rankin/Bass production of Here Comes Peter Cottontail opposite Vincent Price providing the voice of the villainous Iron Tail.

In 1972, Kasem appeared in the low-budget film The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, which also starred Bruce Dern. In 1984, Kasem made a cameo in Ghostbusters, reprising his role as the host of American Top 40.

1990s

From January 1989 to March 1998, when Kasem was not at the helm of AT40, he was host of Casey's Top 40, Casey's Hot 20, and Casey's Countdown, syndicated by the Westwood One Radio Networks. He was also the host of the short-lived American version of 100% during the 1998–9 season, and would close each episode by inviting viewers to join him that weekend on AT40, to which Kasem had just returned.

2000s

In August 2006, XM Satellite Radio, now merged with Sirius Satellite Radio, began airing newly restored versions of the original American Top 40 radio show from the 1970s and 1980s. Premiere Radio Networks also started airing reruns of AT40, dating from 1970 to 1988, in January 2007.

On January 3, 2004, Kasem gave up hosting duties of American Top 40, with Ryan Seacrest becoming the new host. Kasem signed a new contract that continued his two American Top 20 shows. That March one of them, the adult contemporary version, became American Top 10. At the end of the year, Kasem recorded several holiday-themed programs to air on stations that flip to "all-Christmas" for the holidays.

In April 2005 the television special American Top 40 Live aired on the Fox network, hosted by Seacrest, with Kasem appearing on the show.

In November 2007 Kasem's son Mike became his regular and final substitute host for American Top 20 and American Top 10. In June 2009 Premiere Radio Networks announced it would cease production of the two shows after the Fourth of July holiday, ending Kasem's 39-year run in the radio countdown business. Reruns of 1970s and 1980s shows play on a number of US stations as of 2013. Kasem has since avoided the spotlight, but briefly appeared on his daughter Kerri Kasem's podcast in late 2009.

Television

Kasem began his television career hosting Shebang, a dance show aired weekday afternoons on Los Angeles television station KTLA in the mid to late 1960s. His first work as a voice actor was as the voice Robin, The Boy Wonder in the 1968 Batman cartoons. Kasem went on to become a prominent voice actor, and is most connected in that field to his work for programs produced by Hanna-Barbera. His most famous role was the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo franchise, beginning with the first series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! in 1969, and continuing until 1995, and again from 2002 to 2009. He has done work for many other animated series, including reprising his role as Robin for various versions of SuperFriends from 1973 to 1985, three 1970 episodes of Sesame Street, the drummer Groove from The Cattanooga Cats (1969), Alexander Cabot III from Josie and the Pussycats (1970) and Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space (1972), Merry from The Return of the King (1980); and television specials such as Rankin-Bass' Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971).

He voiced of Mark, the American name of Ken Washio in Battle of the Planets, the first American version of Gatchaman, as well as Bluestreak, Cliffjumper, Teletraan I and Dr. Arkeville in the original Transformers animated series, but left during the third season due to what he perceived as offensive caricatures of Arabs and Arab countries in one episode. In a 1990 article he wrote,

A few years ago, I was doing one of the voices in the TV cartoon series, Transformers. One week, the script featured an evil character named Abdul, King of Carbombya. He was like all the other cartoon Arabs. I asked the director, “Are there any good Arabs in this script for balance?” We looked. There was one other — but he was no different than Abdul. So, I told the show’s director that, in good conscience, I couldn't be a part of that show. I wrote a letter to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Marvel Productions, Margaret Ann Loesch. Here is her reply, in part: “Dear Casey: I received your letter regarding the negative stereotyping that has been occurring on television in the portrayal of Arabs and Arab-Americans. I share your concerns. Your letter has been distributed to our writing staff and our voice directors in the hopes that they can be more sensitive to this issue and therefore more responsive to the problem.”

Kasem performed many TV commercial voiceovers for companies and products like A&P, Chevron, Ford, Red Lobster, Raid, Oscar Mayer, Hoover vacuum cleaners, Velveeta, Joy dishwashing liquid, Heinz ketchup, Sears, Prestone, Dairy Queen, Continental Airlines, the California Raisin Advisory Board, the National Cancer Institute, and promos for the NBC television network . In March 2010, Kasem appeared in a commercial for Sprint 4G, reprising his role as AT40 host.

From 1980 to 1989 and again from 1991 to 1992, Kasem also hosted the syndicated American Top 40 TV spin-off America's Top 10, a weekly half-hour music video show that counted down the top 10 songs in the United States.

He initially was hired as the narrator for the TV show Soap, but quit the series after the pilot due to the controversial adult themes the show promoted. Rod Roddy replaced him as narrator; it was Roddy's first national television announcing job.

In addition to voice acting, Kasem has appeared on camera on at least two episodes of Hawaii Five-O and Nick at Nite on New Year's Eve from 1989 to 1998, counting down the top reruns of the year. Kasem also made two cameo appearances on the TV show Saved by the Bell in the early 1990s and one cameo appearance on the 1970s show Quincy, M.E. in the episode "An Unfriendly Radiance." Kasem also appeared in an episode of ALF during that show's 4th season.

In the late 1970s, Kasem portrayed an actor who imitated Columbo and had a key role in the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries two-part episodes "The Mystery of the Hollywood Phantom." He also portrayed a golf commentator in an episode of Charlie's Angels titled "Winning is for Losers," with then unknown actress Jamie Lee Curtis playing one of the golfers.

He was once also seen on Late Show with David Letterman performing a Top Ten list: "the Top Ten Favorite Numbers from 1 to 10." The countdown of numbers was paused at number 2 for Kasem to spoof one of his long distance dedications. He appeared on camera as a co-host of Jerry Lewis' annual Labor Day Telethon for The Muscular Dystrophy Association from 1983–2005.

In 2008, Casey was the voiceover talent for cable channel WGN America's Out of Sight Retro Night.

Casey retired from voice acting in 2009, with his final performance being the voice of Shaggy in the direct-to-DVD movie Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword. He did voice Shaggy again for The Official BBC Children in Need Medley, but went uncredited by his request. Although officially retired from acting, he provided the voice of Colton Rogers, Shaggy's father, on a recurring basis for the 2010-2013 series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

The single "U2" by media satirists Negativland features some profane outtakes of Kasem saved by an engineer; it was recalled by the label SST Records and was featured in lawsuits. It involved Kasem doing a "long distance dedication" about a deceased dog, and attempting to say "the letter U and the numeral two".

Personal life

Kasem was married to Linda Myers from 1972 to 1979 and they have three children together: Mike, Julie, and Kerri Kasem. Kasem has been married to American actress Jean Kasem since 1980. They have one child together, Liberty Jean Kasem. In October 2013, Kerri Kasem said her father was suffering from Parkinson's disease. On October 1, Casey Kasem's three adult children and his brother protested in front of Kasem's home, saying Jean Kasem had been preventing contact with Kasem for three months.

He is of Lebanese Druze heritage; Kasem is a vegan. He has also been active in politics for years, supporting Lebanese-American and Arab-American causes and politicians. Kasem wrote a brochure published by the Arab-American Institute entitled "Arab-Americans: Making a Difference."

Kasem supported Ralph Nader for US President in 2000, supported progressive Democrat Dennis Kucinich in his 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns, and narrated a campaign ad for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign.

Honors

In 1985, he was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame radio division.

Filmography

Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes
1968	Garrison's Gorillas	Provost Marshall	Live action Episode "The Death Sentence"
1968-1969	The Batman/Superman Hour	Robin/Dick Grayson
1969-1971	Skyhawks	Steve Wilson Joe Conway
1969-1971	Hot Wheels	Tank Mallory Dexter Carter
1969-1971	Cattanooga Cats	Groove
1969–1971	Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!	Shaggy Rogers
1970-1971	Josie and the Pussycats	Alexander Cabot III
1971	Here Comes Peter Cottontail	Peter Cottontail	Television movie
1972	Doomsday Machine	Mission Control Officer
1972	Wait Till Your Father Gets Home	George	Episode "The Neighbors"
1972–1973	The New Scooby-Doo Movies	Shaggy Rogers Alexander Cabot III
1972-1973	Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space	Alexander Cabot III
1973–1986	Super Friends in various titles	Robin/Dick Grayson
1974	The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast	Adolf Hitler	Live action The Roast of Don Rickles
1974	Hong Kong Phooey	Car stealer Clown	Episode "TV or Not TV/Stop Horsing Around"
1974	Hawaii Five-O	Swift Freddie Dryden	Live action Episode "Steal Now - Pay Later" Episode "Mother's Deadly Helper"
1974	Emergency +4	Additional voices
1974	Ironside	Lab Technician Jim Crutcher	Live action Episode "Fall of an Angel" Episode "Setup: Danger!"
1976-1977	Dynomutt, Dog Wonder	Fishface Swamp Rat Shaggy Rogers
1976–1978	The Scooby-Doo Show	Shaggy Rogers
1977	Police Story	Sobhe	Live action Episode "Trial Board"
1977	Quincy, M.E.	Sy Wallace	Live action Episode "An Unfriendly Radiance"
1977	The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries	Paul Hamilton	Live action Episode "Mystery of the Hollywood Phantom, Part 1" Episode "Mystery of the Hollywood Phantom, Part 2"
1977	Switch	Tony Brock	Live action "Fade Out"
1977-1978	What's New Mr. Magoo?	Waldo
1977–1980	Laff-A-Lympics	Shaggy Rogers	Recurring, various episodes
1978	Charlie's Angels	Tom Rogers	Live action Episode "Winning Is for Losers"
1978	Jana of the Jungle	Additional voices
1978-1985	Battle of the Planets	Mark	American dubbed adaptation of anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
1979–1980	Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo	Shaggy Rogers
1980–1982	The Richie Rich-Scooby Doo Show	Shaggy Rogers
1982–1983	The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour	Shaggy Rogers
1983–1984	The All-New Scooby and Scrappy Doo)	Shaggy Rogers
1984–1985	The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries	Shaggy Rogers
1984–1986	The Transformers	Cliffjumper Teletraan I
1985	The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo	Shaggy Rogers
1988–1991	A Pup Named Scooby-Doo	Shaggy Rogers Shaggy's Father
1991	Tiny Toons Adventures	Flakey Flakems	Episode "America's Least Wanted"
1993	2 Stupid Dogs	Bill Barker	Episode "Let's Make a Right Price"
1994	Captain Planet and the Planeteers	Lexo Starbuck	Episode "You Bet Your Planet"
1996	Homeboys in Outer Space	Spacy Kasem	Live Action Episode "Loquatia Unplugged or, Come Back, Little Cyber"
1997	Johnny Bravo	Shaggy Rogers	Episode "Bravo Dooby Doo"
2000	Histeria!	Calgary Kasem	Episode "North America"
2002–2006	What's New, Scooby-Doo?	Shaggy Rogers
2003	Blue's Clues	Radio	Episode "Blue's Big Trip"
2006-2008	Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!	Uncle Albert	Recurring
2010–2011 2013	Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated	Colton Rogers	Recurring, 5 episodes

External links

• Casey Kasem at IMDb
• Casey Kasem at VoiceChasers

Further reading

• Durkee, Rob. American Top 40: The Countdown of the Century, Schriner Books, New York, 1999. ISBN 0-02-864895-1
• Battistini, Pete. "American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (The 1970s)", Authorhouse.com, January 31, 2005. ISBN 1-4184-1070-5