About
Casey Kasem, born Kemal Amin Kasem in Detroit, Michigan, to Lebanese Druze immigrant parents, was a major figure in radio and animation. He co-founded and hosted the nationally syndicated American Top 40 from 1970 to 1988 and again from 1998 to 2004, with his signature sign-off: 'Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.' He is also famous for voicing Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise (1969-2009), as well as Robin in Super Friends and various characters in Transformers. An advocate for veganism and animal rights, he also supported the Arab American community. He died in 2014 from complications of Lewy body dementia.
* 1932-04-27 — † 2014-06-15
Major works
- American Top 40 (1970)radio program
- Scooby-Doo (1969)animated series
- Super Friends (1973)animated series
- Transformers (1984)animated series
Key milestones
- 1952Drafted into the U.S. Army, he served as a DJ and announcer for Armed Forces Radio's Korea Network.
- 1981Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Radio category on his 49th birthday.
- 1992Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.
Themes
Radio and broadcastingVoice acting and animationVeganism and animal rightsArab American heritageInspiration and perseverance
Sources: radiohalloffame.com · walkoffame.com · detroithistorical.org