U.S. television and radio personality Casey Kasem was taken off of life support at the age of 82 and passed away at a hospice facility in Washington state on Sunday, according to a post on his daughter’s Facebook page.
“Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends,” Kerri Kasem wrote. “Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad. With love, Kerri, Mike and Julie.”
After an endless court battle, Supreme Court Judge Daniel Murphy reversed a ruling, which required doctors to keep Kasem alive with nourishment and medication. By doing so, it made it legal for his daughter Kerri Kasem to remove him from life support. She was given the authority to have doctors end his infusions of water, food and medicine.
The onetime “Top 40” host suffered from Lewy body dementia, which causes progressive mental decline, and had infected bedsores.
Kasem is best known for being the host of the music radio programs American Top 40, American Top 20, and American Top 10 from 1970. His distinct voice was used for the cartoon character Norville “Shaggy” Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise for 40 years. He was the voice of the NBC television network for years.
During his radio and broadcast shows, Kasem would end them with his signature sign-off: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” In 2004, the world’s best- known radio host handed off his duties to Ryan Seacrest.
He retired from hosting and voice works in 2009, two years after a doctor diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease. The diagnosis was later changed to Lewy body dementia, which, according to court documents, has no cure.
The DJ is survived by his wife Jean Kasem, as well as his three children.
Ryan Seacrest released the following statement on Kasem’s death: “It’s a sad day for the broadcasting community and for radio listeners around the world. When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem’s AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ. So when decades later I took over his AT40 countdown show, it was a surreal moment. Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He’ll be greatly missed by all of us.”
Below are some more stars who reached out and gave their condolences via Twitter.
Dear Kerri, I’m so sorry you lost your dad. I loved him very much too. @KerriKasem As my dad would say “Don’t despair.”
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) June 15, 2014
Somewhere up there in heaven, Snuggles is showing Casey Kasem around. #RIPCaseyKasem
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) June 15, 2014
Long before MTV and the internet #CaseyKasem made sure you were hearing the best music out there. Peace be to his family and RIP. #Respect
— Carson Daly (@CarsonDaly) June 15, 2014
“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars,” Casey Kasem.
— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) June 15, 2014
RIP Casey Kasem. My thoughts are with his children who didn’t get time with their father before his passing. So sad.
— oliviamunn (@oliviamunn) June 15, 2014
