Casey Kasem, the veteran American disc jockey and voice actor on Scooby-Doo, and many other English-language cartoons, has died aged 82.
If you watch the classic cartoon channel, Boomerang, you'll have heard his voice a thousand times: Kasem was the original Shaggy - Great Dane Scooby-Doo's inseparable friend - from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 to 2009.
His first work as a voice actor was playing Robin in the 1968 Batman cartoons. He later reprised the role in the SuperFriends show (1973-1985).
His other voice roles included those of Alexander Cabot III, in Josie and the Pussycats (1970), Mark, leader of G-Force, in Battle of the Planets (an English dub of the anime Gatchaman), and Bluestreak, Cliffjumper, Teletraan I and DoctorArkeville in the original 1980s The Transformers series.
Kasem was also famous for his work as a radio DJ since the 1960s. He was perhaps best known for presenting the weekly syndicated American Top 40 music show, starting in 1970, which he would end with his signature sign-off, encouraging listeners to reach for their dreams.
This Otaku grew up on cartoons like Scooby-Doo and Battle of the Planets. I'm happy that, thanks to cartoon channels such as Boomerang, new Otakus will be able to hear Kasem's cartoon voices for many years to come.
Next time you hear Shaggy ask for a Scooby snack, remember to "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars".