Casey Kasem life and biography

Casey Kasem is an American radio personality and voice actor who is best known for voicing Shaggy in the popular Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo and for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show, American Top 40.

Kasem, along with Don Bustany and Ron Jacobs, founded the popular American Top 40 franchise in 1970, hosting it from 1970 to 1988 and then from 1998 to 2004. Between 1989 and 1998, he was the host of Casey's Top 40, Casey's Hot 20, and Casey's Countdown. He is currently heard on Premiere Radio Networks' weekly syndicated radio programs based on the American Top 40 franchise: Casey Kasem's American Top 40: The '70s and Casey Kasem's American Top 40: The '80s are replays of AT40 shows from the respective decades. He also hosted 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, was the voice of NBC, helps out with the annual Jerry Lewis telethon, and most notably, provided the cartoon voice 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 airs on WGN America, but recently was replaced by rival Rick Dees. After 40 years, Casey retired from his role of voicing Shaggy from Scooby-Doo in 2009, instead voicing Shaggy's father in the 2010 TV series, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

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

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.

Kasem was married to Linda Myers from 1972 to 1979, and they have three children together: Mike, Kerri and Julie. In 1980 Kasem married his second wife actress Jean Thompson. Casey and Jean have a daughter, Liberty. The "Little Miss Liberty" upscale baby cribs, designed by Jean Kasem and best known for their appearances as prizes on The Price Is Right, are named after Liberty.

Casey's son Mike Kasem is a voice-over actor who, in 1997, presented the MTV Top 20 Video Countdown. From 2007-2009, Mike was the regular substitute host for his father on American Top 20 and American Top 10. He also recorded new segments for American Top 40 repeat broadcasts prior to Casey's departure from Premiere Radio Networks.

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

Kasem supported Ralph Nader for president in 2000, supported progressive Democrat Dennis Kucinich in his 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns, and narrated a campaign ad for George McGovern's 1984 presidential campaign.

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

Filmography:

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (TV series)
Colton Rogers
All Fear the Freak (2011) … Colton Rogers (voice)
The Shrieking Madness (2010) … Colton Rogers (voice)
The Creeping Creatures (2010) … Colton Rogers (voice) (uncredited)
Beware the Beast from Below (2010) … Colton Rogers (voice)
2009 Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword (video)
Shaggy (voice)
2008 Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King (video)
Shaggy (voice)
2007 11th Annual Prism Awards (TV movie)
Announcer
2007 Chill Out, Scooby-Doo! (video)
Shaggy (voice)
2006-2007 Shaggy & Scooby-Doo: Get a Clue! (TV series)
Uncle Albert

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