Kemal Amin “Casey” Kasem (April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014) was an American disc jockey, actor, and radio presenter. He created and hosted American Top 40 and America’s Top 10. Kasem was the first actor to voice Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise (1969–1997, 2002–2009) and Dick Grayson/Robin in Super Friends (1973–1985).
He hosted Casey’s Top 40 (1989–1998) and revived American Top 40 in 1998. Kasem also founded the American Video Awards in 1983 and voiced for Sesame Street, Transformers, and more.
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Casey Kasem Net Worth
Casey Kasem had a net worth of $80 million at the time of his death in 2014. In April 2013, Casey and Jean listed their 2.5-acre Beverly Hills property for $42 million, which Casey had purchased in 1989 for $1.725 million. He added eight more bathrooms and increased the living space by 5,000 square feet.
The 12,000-square-foot home was near the Playboy mansion and next to a property owned by Kylie Jenner. In February 2021, Jean Kasem relisted the property for $37.9 million, selling for $34 million in April 2021.
Early Life
Kemal Amin Kasem was born on April 27, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to Lebanese Druze immigrants Helen and Amin Kasem, who were grocers. He was named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whom his father respected. Kasem’s parents insisted on assimilation into American life, not allowing their children to speak Arabic.
Inspired by the radio show Make Believe Ballroom, he pursued a career as a radio disc jockey. He gained his first experience covering sports at Northwestern High School and later voiced programs at Wayne State University. In 1952, he was drafted into the Army and worked as a disc jockey on AFKN in Korea.
Career
After the war, Kasem began his professional broadcasting career in Flint, Michigan, then worked at Detroit’s WJLB and WJBK, where he portrayed children’s television host “Krogo the Clown.” He left broadcasting to help tend to the family grocery store in Fenton, Michigan.
Kasem unsuccessfully attempted work as a stage actor in New York City for six months, auditioning for Ivan Of but lost the role to Ed Asner. Returning to Detroit, Kasem re-applied at WJBK but was referred to co-owned WJW, where he hosted Cleveland Bandstand. He identified as “Casey at the Mike.”
Personal Life
Kasem was a dedicated vegan, supported animal rights and environmental causes, and was a critic of factory farming. He initially quit voicing Shaggy in the 1990s over a Burger King commercial but returned in 2002 after negotiating Shaggy to become a vegetarian again.
He was married to Linda Myers (1972–1979) and Jean Thompson (1980–2014), with children Mike, Julie, Kerri, and Liberty Jean Kasem. In 1989, he purchased a home at 138 North Mapleton Drive for Jean, later listing it in 2013 for $43 million and re-listed in 2021 for $37.9 million.
What happened to Casey Kasem’s mansion?
The longtime Holmby Hills estate of the late radio DJ legend Casey Kasem sold for $34 million after lingering on and off the market for years. The 12,000-square-foot property at 138 N. Mapleton Drive was sold in an off-market deal, according to Dirt.
Conclusion
Casey Kasem’s net worth of $80 million underscores a life filled with professional success, personal challenges, and a lasting impact on the world of radio and voice acting. His story is one of remarkable talent and enduring legacy, remembered fondly by fans around the globe.
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FAQs about Casey Kasem
- What made Casey Kasem famous?
- Casey Kasem gained fame as the host of “American Top 40,” and as the voice of Shaggy in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise.
- How did Casey Kasem contribute to animal rights and environmentalism?
- A staunch vegan, Kasem advocated for animal rights and environmental causes, influencing public opinion through his celebrity status.
- What led to Casey Kasem’s family dispute?
- Kasem’s illness led to a highly publicized dispute between his second wife, Jean, and his children from his first marriage, over his care and estate.
- How did Casey Kasem’s career in voice acting begin?
- Kasem’s voice acting career began with radio dramas before he found fame with “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”
- What legacy does Casey Kasem leave behind?
- Kasem leaves behind a legacy of pioneering radio broadcasting, memorable voice acting roles, and a lasting influence on pop culture.
