R.I.P. Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem died today. Everyone remembers him from the top 40 show, but I'm surprised by the number of folks who didn't know he was the voice of Shaggy from Scooby Doo going back to 1969.

On a completely random coincidence, my son has started marathoning the most recent iteration of Scooby Doo, which is quite the modern adaptation but still in keeping with what I recall from the reruns I grew up with. So, I had to look it up. Was Casey still voicing Shaggy?

No. Matthew Lillard was the live actor in the live action film of Scooby Doo in 2002 and he's voicing Shaggy in the animated series. But it appears they did give Casey a guest appearance in at least five episodes... as the voice of Shaggy's father? Respectable. And understandable if it's true that Casey's health was in decline the past few years.

I haven't been watching the show, but I've been listening with one ear. The plot lines are much deeper than the show I grew up with. There are multiple-episode arcs and each of the characters goes through actual development over the span of a season. It's still a goofy as hell show, but worth checking out as an adult. Unless that is, you hate fun.

Check out Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated or look for the earlier show as suits your tastes.