Casey Kasem

Biography

Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem (April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was a celebrated American disc jockey, radio host, and voice actor, renowned for his pioneering contributions to music radio and animation. He is best known for creating and hosting the iconic countdown show, American Top 40, which first aired on July 4, 1970, and became a staple of American pop culture through 1988. Following this success, he launched Casey's Top 40 in January 1989, which ran until February 1998, before he reclaimed the reins of American Top 40 in 1998.

Kasem's influence extended beyond the airwaves; he was the original voice of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the beloved Scooby-Doo franchise, lending his talents from the series' inception in 1969 until 1997, and again from 2002 to 2009. His knack for connecting with audiences also led to the creation of spin-off countdowns tailored for country and adult contemporary music, which he hosted until 2009.

In addition to his radio accomplishments, Kasem founded the American Video Awards in 1983 and played a significant role as its co-producer and host until its conclusion in 1987. His voice also graced numerous commercials and children's programs, including Sesame Street and the Transformers series. A familiar presence on television, he was known as "the voice of NBC" and contributed to the annual Jerry Lewis telethon, solidifying his legacy in both radio and entertainment.