# Casey Kasem

> American voice actor (1932–2014)

**Wikidata**: [Q1047230](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1047230)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Kasem)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/casey-kasem

## Summary

Casey Kasem (born Kemal Amin Kasem; April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was an American voice actor, radio personality, disc jockey, television and film actor, film producer, and journalist whose career spanned from 1954 to 2013. He is best known for his voice work in the *Scooby-Doo* franchise and for his influential presence in American radio broadcasting.

## Biography

- **Born:** April 27, 1932
- **Died:** June 15, 2014
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Also known as:** Kemal Amin Kasem, Kemal Kasem, Casey Amin Kasem
- **Education:** Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan)
- **Known for:** Voice acting in *Scooby-Doo*; iconic radio broadcasting career
- **Field(s):** Voice acting, radio broadcasting, television acting, film acting, film production, journalism, disc jockeying
- **Active years:** 1954 – 2013
- **Number of children:** 4

## Contributions

Casey Kasem's most recognized creative contribution is his voice acting work in the *Scooby-Doo* animated media franchise, an American cultural touchstone. Over a career spanning nearly six decades (1954–2013), Kasem worked across multiple entertainment disciplines — providing voice-overs for animated characters, hosting radio programs, performing on television and in film, producing films, writing and distributing news as a journalist, and playing recorded music as a disc jockey. His voice became one of the most recognizable in American entertainment media.

## FAQs

**What was Casey Kasem's real name?**
His birth name was Kemal Amin Kasem. He also went by Kemal Kasem and Casey Amin Kasem.

**What was Casey Kasem's most famous role?**
He is most widely recognized for his voice acting work in the *Scooby-Doo* franchise, the long-running American animated media series.

**What awards did Casey Kasem receive?**
Kasem received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an American award presented annually to both native-born and naturalized citizens (established in 1986), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.

**Where did Casey Kasem go to school?**
He was educated at Wayne State University, a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, founded in 1868.

**How long was Casey Kasem active in entertainment?**
His professional career began in 1954 and continued until 2013, totaling nearly 60 years in the entertainment industry.

## Why They Matter

Casey Kasem mattered as a foundational figure in American voice acting and radio broadcasting. His voice work on *Scooby-Doo* helped define one of the most enduring animated franchises in American television history, a series that has maintained cultural relevance across generations. As a radio personality and disc jockey, Kasem shaped how Americans consumed music and entertainment over the airwaves for decades. His multi-hyphenate career — spanning voice acting, on-screen acting, film production, and journalism — made him a rare cross-platform presence in American media. The recognition he received, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, reflects both his professional impact and his significance as a cultural figure in the United States. Without Kasem's contributions, the landscape of American radio broadcasting and animation voice acting would lack one of its most iconic and recognizable voices.

## Notable For

- **Voice of *Scooby-Doo* franchise:** Provided voice work for one of America's longest-running and most beloved animated media franchises
- **Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:** Honored with a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California
- **Ellis Island Medal of Honor:** Recipient of this prestigious American award recognizing contributions by both native-born and naturalized citizens
- **Career spanning six decades:** Active from 1954 to 2013 — nearly 60 continuous years in entertainment
- **Multi-disciplinary entertainer:** Held roles as a voice actor, radio personality, disc jockey, television actor, film actor, film producer, and journalist
- **Wayne State University alumnus:** Educated at the public research university in Detroit, Michigan

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Casey Kasem was born Kemal Amin Kasem on April 27, 1932, in the United States. He attended Wayne State University, a public research university in Detroit, Michigan, which was established in 1868 and employs approximately 6,298 people. His time at Wayne State laid the groundwork for his entry into broadcasting and entertainment.

### Career Beginnings and Radio Work

Kasem launched his professional career in 1954. He became widely known as a radio personality — someone who holds an on-air position in radio broadcasting — and a disc jockey, playing recorded music for audiences. His work in radio would become a defining element of his public identity. Simultaneously, he pursued journalism, collecting, writing, and distributing news and information. He remained active in these capacities for decades, becoming one of the most familiar voices on American radio.

### Voice Acting and *Scooby-Doo*

Kasem's most enduring creative legacy is tied to his work as a voice actor — a person who provides voice-overs for characters in films, animation, video games, or other media. His notable work includes the *Scooby-Doo* franchise, an American animated media property with a significant cultural footprint (represented by 52 sitelinks across Wikipedia alone). His voice became synonymous with the franchise, and the series remains a touchstone of American animation.

### On-Screen Acting and Film Production

Beyond voice work, Kasem worked as a television actor and film actor, appearing in productions across both mediums. He also served as a film producer, supervising the making of films. This broad portfolio of roles — from behind the microphone in a recording booth to on-screen performances to production oversight — demonstrated his versatility across the entertainment industry.

### Recognition and Awards

Kasem received two notable accolades during his career:

- **Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:** Located in Hollywood, California, this honor places him among the most celebrated figures in the American entertainment industry.
- **Ellis Island Medal of Honor:** Established in 1986, this American award is presented annually to both native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens who have made significant contributions to society.

### Personal Life

Casey Kasem had four children. He was also known by several names: Kemal Amin Kasem (his birth name), Kemal Kasem, and Casey Amin Kasem. His career concluded in 2013 after nearly 60 years of professional activity.

### Legacy and Death

Casey Kasem died on June 15, 2014, at the age of 82. His death marked the end of a career that had spanned the entirety of modern American broadcast history, from the golden age of radio through the rise of television animation. His influence persists through the continued popularity of the *Scooby-Doo* franchise and the lasting impact of his work in radio broadcasting. Kasem is remembered as one of the most recognizable and versatile figures in American voice acting and media.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Casey-Kasem-He-kept-reaching-for-the-stars-5553898.php)
2. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/people/630/000023561/)
3. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/video/arts/music/100000002939816/casey-kasem-an-american-voice.html)
4. Casey Kasem, Wholesome Voice of Pop Radio, Dies at 82
5. [2014](https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/mike-kasem-my-dad-still-not-buried)
6. [Source](http://gawker.com/casey-kasems-wife-pelted-his-daughter-with-raw-meat-thi-1584605448)
7. [Source](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/6121432/howard-stern-producer-baba-booey-reflects-on-casey-kasems-influence)
8. [Source](http://www.hipsterwave.com/video-casey-kasem-near-death/)
9. [Source](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071304534.html)
10. [Source](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/06/16/thanks-to-casey-kasem-and-psychology-heres-why-people-love-radio-countdowns/)
11. [Source](http://medalists.eihonors.org/index.html)
12. [Source](https://walkoffame.com/casey-kasem/)
13. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
14. MusicBrainz
15. Find a Grave
16. Discogs
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [Casey Kasem | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL7519815A/Casey_Kasem)
19. Virtual International Authority File
20. [Source](https://www.happycow.net/vegtopics/famous/casey_kasem)
21. BBC Things
22. [Source](http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1908941,00.html)
23. [Casey Kasem (83 Character Images) - Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Casey-Kasem/)