Casey Kasem
Born 1932 · Age 93
American disc jockey, radio presenter and voice actor; creator and longtime host of American Top 40 and voice of Shaggy Rogers.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Kemal Amin Kasem born to Lebanese Druze immigrants Helen and Amin Kasem in Detroit.
Inspired by radio Make Believe Ballroom
In the 1940s the radio show Make Believe Ballroom reportedly inspired Kasem to pursue a career as a radio disc jockey.
First radio experience in high school
Covered sports on radio while a student at Northwestern High School in Detroit.
Studied broadcasting at Wayne State University
Attended Wayne State University and performed voice work for children's radio programs (e.g., The Lone Ranger).
Drafted into U.S. Army; Armed Forces Korea Network DJ
Drafted and sent to Korea where he served as a disc jockey and announcer on American Forces Korea Network (AFKN).
Began professional broadcasting career
After military service Kasem began professional broadcasting in Flint, Michigan, then worked at Detroit stations WJLB and WJBK.
Left broadcasting to tend family grocery (briefly)
Left broadcasting to help tend the family grocery store in Fenton, Michigan, before returning to radio.
85-second on-air kiss world-record stunt
While at WJW in Cleveland, Kasem and Diana Trask engaged in an 85‑second kiss described on-air as a 'world record'.
Worked at WJW (Cleveland) — rapid ratings success
Hosted Cleveland Bandstand and evening shows on WJW, reaching high ratings in a matter of months (number two weeknights, number one on Saturdays).
Moved to West Coast radio (San Francisco/Oakland)
Worked at KYA (San Francisco) and KEWB (Oakland) as a DJ and music director, developing his on-air persona and music-trivia format.
Joined KRLA in Los Angeles
Began at KRLA Los Angeles in 1963; career began to blossom as he championed R&B and cultivated a distinctive on-air personality.
Co-hosted Shebang with Dick Clark
Hired by Dick Clark as co‑host of daily teenage music TV show Shebang in Los Angeles, Kasem's first national TV hosting exposure.
"Letter from Elaina" minor hit single
Released a spoken-word single 'Letter from Elaina' during Beatlemania that received minor chart success.
Acting in films and TV appearances (1967)
Appeared on The Dating Game and in biker film The Glory Stompers; continued to take on low-budget film and TV roles.
Began voicing Shaggy Rogers (Scooby‑Doo)
Started one of his most famous roles as the voice of Shaggy in Scooby‑Doo, Where Are You!, beginning a decades‑long association.
Began extensive commercial voiceover work
Began and expanded a career providing commercial voiceovers; over his career he did more than 100 commercials.
Voiced Groove for The Cattanooga Cats
Provided the voice of the drummer 'Groove' in The Cattanooga Cats (1969).
American Top 40: debut station count
American Top 40 debuted on seven stations and later grew massively in syndication (reported over 1,000 stations by 1986).
Launched American Top 40 (AT40)
Along with Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs Kasem launched the weekly syndicated countdown show American Top 40; debuted on 7 stations.
Peter Cottontail voice (Here Comes Peter Cottontail)
Provided the character voice of Peter Cottontail in the Rankin/Bass production Here Comes Peter Cottontail.
Married Linda Myers
Married Linda Myers in 1972; they had three children: Mike, Julie and Kerri Kasem. Divorced in 1979.
Narrated campaign ad for George McGovern
Narrated a campaign ad for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, reflecting political engagement.
Started voicing Robin/Dick Grayson on Super Friends
Began voicing Dick Grayson/Robin in the Super Friends franchise (role continued through 1985).
Staff announcer for NBC (late 1970s–early 1980s)
Served for a period as the staff announcer for the NBC television network (late‑1970s into early‑1980s).
Narrator for ABC sitcom 'Soap' pilot (quit)
Was hired as narrator for the ABC sitcom Soap but quit after the pilot due to controversies; narration was rerecorded by Rod Roddy.
American Top 40 expanded from 3 to 4 hours
AT40 expanded its runtime from three hours to four hours in October 1978 due to popularity.
Divorced Linda Myers
Kasem and Linda Myers divorced in 1979 after seven years of marriage.
Voiced Merry in The Return of the King
Provided the voice of Merry in the 1980 animated adaptation The Return of the King.
Married Jean Thompson
Married actress Jean Thompson on December 21, 1980; they had one child, Liberty Jean Kasem.
Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Granted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to entertainment.
Founded the American Video Awards
Helped found the American Video Awards (AVA), an annual music video awards show which he co‑produced and hosted.
Hosted fundraisers for Jesse Jackson
Hosted fundraisers for Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns (participated in 1984 and 1988 fundraising efforts).
Ghostbusters cameo
Made a voice cameo in the 1984 film Ghostbusters reprising his role as the host of American Top 40.
Inducted into National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Kasem was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame (radio division) in 1985.
Final American Video Awards show
The last American Video Awards aired in 1987 after five annual shows (1983–1987).
Left American Top 40; signed $15M contract with Westwood One
Departed AT40 after a contract dispute with ABC Radio; signed a five‑year, $15,000,000 contract with Westwood One and created Casey's Top 40.
Participated in 'For You, Armenia' relief recording
Participated with other entertainers in recording a charity song for the victims of the 1988 Armenian earthquake (project in 1989).
Purchased Holmby Hills home as gift for wife Jean
Purchased 138 North Mapleton Drive, Holmby Hills (built 1954) in 1989 as a birthday present for his wife Jean.
Launched Casey's Top 40 (radio show)
Began hosting Casey's Top 40 (using Radio & Records airplay chart) — series ran January 1989 to February 1998.
Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame
Kasem was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1992.
Hosted Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremonies
In the late 1990s Kasem hosted the Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremonies (he was also himself inducted in 1992).
Named 'Man of the Year' by American Druze Society
Honored in 1996 by the American Druze Society for his contributions and activism.
Regained rights to 'American Top 40' name
Kasem regained the rights to the American Top 40 name in 1997 after its cancellation in 1995 under another host.
Received Radio Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
Received the Radio Hall of Fame's first Lifetime Achievement Award (five years after his 1992 induction).
Revived American Top 40 on AMFM Network
Returned as host of American Top 40 in 1998 on the AMFM Network (later Premiere Radio Networks).
Public political support for Ralph Nader (2000)
Publicly supported Ralph Nader's 2000 presidential campaign; Kasem was active in multiple political causes across decades.
Received NAMR Presidential Award for Sustained Executive Achievement
Recognized by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (Detroit source cites 2001 award).
Returned to voice Shaggy with vegetarian condition
Reprised role of Shaggy in 2002 on condition that the character return to vegetarianism, reflecting Kasem's personal lifestyle.
Received Radio Icon award
Kasem received the Radio Icon award at the Radio Music Awards in 2003.
Announced departure from American Top 40; Ryan Seacrest successor
Kasem announced he would leave AT40 when his contract expired and be replaced by Ryan Seacrest at end of 2003.
Hosted adult contemporary countdowns (interim contract)
Agreed to a new contract to continue hosting his weekly adult-contemporary countdown shows (American Top 20 titles) during the transition.
Supported Dennis Kucinich (2004, 2008)
Publicly supported progressive Democrat Dennis Kucinich in his 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns.
Appeared on Fox special American Top 40 Live
Appeared on Fox's American Top 40 Live (hosted/produced by Ryan Seacrest) aired April 2005.
Renewed Premiere deal; show retooled to American Top 10
Renewed his deal with Premiere Radio Networks; one show was reduced and retitled American Top 10 to reflect a ten-song format.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (reported later)
Kasem was diagnosed in 2007 with Parkinson's disease (later family disclosures cited Lewy body dementia as the likely condition).
Voice-over for WGN America's Out of Sight Retro Night
Did the voice‑over for WGN America's Out of Sight Retro Night in 2008.
Retired from voice acting; final Shaggy performance
Formally retired from voice acting in 2009; final credited performance as Shaggy was in Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword.
Premiere ends production of Kasem countdowns
In June 2009 Premiere announced it would no longer produce Kasem's two remaining countdowns, ending an 11‑year relationship.
Announced retirement from radio (July 4 weekend)
Kasem announced he would retire from radio on the July 4 weekend, marking the 39th anniversary of American Top 40's debut.
Voice of Colton Rogers in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (recurring)
Provided the voice of Colton Rogers (Shaggy's father) in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated on a recurring basis (2010–2013), uncredited by request.
Daughter announces Parkinson's; later cites Lewy body dementia
Kerri Kasem announced in Oct 2013 that her father had Parkinson's (diagnosed 2007); months later she said he had Lewy body dementia, which can be hard to distinguish from Parkinson's.
Family protest over access to Kasem
On October 1, 2013 Kasem's older children protested outside his home seeking access amid reports his wife was preventing visitors.
Court denies children's conservatorship petition
A November 2013 court denied Kasem's children's petition for conservatorship over their father.
Found in Washington state by court investigators
After the court ordered an investigation into his whereabouts, Kasem was located in Washington state (May 2014).
Removed from Santa Monica nursing home by wife Jean
Jean Kasem removed Casey from his Santa Monica nursing home on May 7, 2014, triggering legal action by his children.
Temporary conservatorship granted to daughter Kerri
On May 12, 2014 Kerri Kasem was granted temporary conservatorship over her father despite stepmother's objection; court ordered probe into his whereabouts.
Hospitalized in critical but stable condition
Reported in critical but stable condition in Washington; receiving antibiotics for bedsores and treatment for high blood pressure.
Died in Gig Harbor, Washington
Casey Kasem died June 15, 2014 at St. Anthony's Hospital, Gig Harbor. Immediate cause: sepsis from an ulcerated bedsore; age 82.
Body moved to Montreal by widow
Jean Kasem moved Casey Kasem's body to a Montreal funeral home on July 14, 2014, during disputes with his children.
Interment at Oslo Western Civil Cemetery
Jean Kasem had Casey Kasem interred at Oslo Western Civil Cemetery on December 16, 2014, over six months after his death.
Wrongful death lawsuit filed
In November 2015 three of Kasem's children and his brother sued his widow for wrongful death, alleging elder abuse and restricted access.
Police investigation finds care appropriate
A 2018 police investigation initiated by a private investigator for Jean Kasem found that he had received appropriate medical care while in Washington; no evidence of homicide.
Family lawsuits settled
The disputes and lawsuits between Kasem's children and widow were settled in 2019.
Key Achievement Ages
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