This Lebanese Voice Actor Was Part of Everyone’s Childhood

This Lebanese voice actor was actually part of everyone’s childhood and we had no idea. And we’re not talking about our childhood in Lebanon…we mean most children all over the world.

If you don’t know Casey Kasem, we’re about to blow your mind. Kasem was a popular American actor and radio presenter. His career took off in the 1970s when he started hosting American Top 40 (which is now hosted by Ryan Seacrest).

Born Kemal Amin Kasem on April 27, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Lebanese immigrants Helen and Amin Kasem and grew up to be one of the most important public figures, with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

What makes him such an icon is not the fact that he hosted American Top 40. Did you know that he’s the original voice actor for Shaggy in Scooby-Doo?

Waking up to find out that one of the most relatable characters from your favorite childhood show was voiced by a Lebanese man…we didn’t see that coming. Kasem has been a huge part of our childhoods, and we didn’t even know it!

Kasem voiced Shaggy Rogers from 1969 until the mid-1990s. He decided to quit because of a dispute over featuring Shaggy in a Burger King commercial. A dedicated vegan and animal rights activist, Kasem refused and stepped down from his role. He later returned to voice Shaggy from 2002 until he retired after the show agreed to make Shaggy vegetarian once again.

He was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007. Doctors later discovered that he was actually struggling with Lewy body disease. He sadly passed away on June 15, 2014 at the age of 82.

Casey Kasem’s legacy remains a cherished part of our childhood, and he stands as one of the most celebrated figures in American radio history.

Did you know this Lebanese voice actor voiced Shaggy? What other secrets are you keeping from us? You might want to check out the #Did You Know section on our website for more content like this!