LOS ANGELES, CA.- Julien’s Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house to the stars, has announced Property from the Collection of Jean and Kasey Kasem, a celebration of the distinguished life and career of the beloved American radio icon whom for over five decades entertained millions around the world as the “King of the Top 40 Countdown” and as the voice of Shaggy in the animated Scooby-Doo television franchise, with an exclusive presentation of luxurious items and possessions from his marriage to his wife, actress Jean Kasem, most known for playing fan favorite character Loretta Tortelli on TV’s iconic sitcom, Cheers. This exclusive event presenting nearly 500 lots for the first time at auction, will take place Thursday, March 17th, 2022 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and live online at juliensauctions.com.

On offer is a spectacular collection of the internationally renowned radio and voiceover legend’s audio gear, scripts, thousands of vinyl records, celebrity signed letters and guitars, memorabilia and awards from Kasem’s iconic long running syndicated radio show American Top 40, as well as art, fine furniture, decorative pieces, vintage costume jewelry, red carpet ensembles, personal wardrobe and household items used by the Kasems during their thirty four year marriage and life together in their lavish Holmby Hills estate in California.

Born on April 27th, 1932 as Kemal Amen Kasem to Lebanese-American parents in Detroit, Michigan, Casey Kasem’s friendly and energetic voice first burst onto the radio airwaves as a sports reporter on his Northwestern High School station. As a student at Detroit’s Wayne State University, before television, Kasem was the youngest cast member who acted on radio serial shows such as “The Lone Ranger” “Sergent Preston of the Yukon” and “The Green Hornet” and continued to develop his broadcasting craft on the Armed Forces Radio network during the Korean War while serving in the army. After the war, Kasem worked as a radio DJ across the country in Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Oakland and Los Angeles, and hosted Dick Clark productions dance-party TV show Shebang.

But it was in Hollywood on the 4th of July in 1970, when Kasem would become a household name in the debut of his first syndicated threehour American Top 40 broadcast and a pop culture phenomenon was born. Unlike anything else heard on the air then, Kasem counted down and played the Top 40 singles backwards to the Number One song each weekend as well as incorporated trivia, and the famous, “Long Distance Dedications,” and his invented bio teaser format about the artists that grabbed the audience and ended each show with his ultimate signature line: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” The show, which he hosted until 2009, was carried by over five hundred radio stations nationally and in more than five hundred around the world. American Top 40 was tune-in appointment listening for millions especially teenagers in their bedrooms and drivers who would have the show playing on their radio. Guessing which song would be the No. 1 Song that week would be a topic of national conversation. Kasem’s spinoffs included American Country Countdown, Casey’s Top 40, Casey’s Hot 20 and Casey’s Countdown and countdown shows for Premiere Radio Networks which he would host until 2009.

Kasem revolutionized radio and television when he became one of the first veejays before MTV in his syndicated music-video show, America’s Top 10, in 1980 which aired throughout the decade. He found enormous success on television as a voiceover actor for thousands of commercials and cartoons, most notably as the voice of Shaggy in Hanna Barbara’s iconic Scooby-Doo, the long-running Saturday-morning cartoon as well as other voiceover characters on Sesame Street, Batman and Robin, Josie and the Pussycats and Transformers. He became one of the highest-paid people in radio broadcasting history in his five-year deal with Westwood One radio network for a contract reputedly valued at $20 million.

He was also an accomplished actor and appeared in many movies including 1966’s The Girls From Thunder Strip, 1967’s The Glory Stompers with Dennis Hopper, 1978’s Disco Fever, E.T., and the 1984 box office hit, Ghostbusters, in which he played himself and on TV shows such as Fantasy Island, Ironside, The New Mike Hammer, Nick at Nite’s New Year’s Eve show as well as served as the voice of NBC in the 1970s and co-hosted for decades with Jerry Lewis on the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon.




In 1983, Kasem founded the American Video Awards which he co-produced and hosted. Casey and Jean Kasem were lifelong humanitarians who supported animal rights, affordable housing, the environment and political causes notably for the Arab American community and fought for a fairer depiction of heroes and villains on behalf of all cultures in Hollywood. During his career, Kasem received numerous distinguished awards and honors including induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992, Man of the Year” by the American Druze Society in 1996, Billboard’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, the Radio Icon Award at the Radio Music Awards in 2003, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1980, and many more. He passed away June 15th, 2014 at the age of 82 in Washington.

“Casey Kasem was an iconic radio broadcaster and voiceover actor – an American treasure whose emphatic voice and cheerful personality introduced the best and top songs to millions of listeners around the world and into the canon of pop culture in his remarkable five-decade career hosting the American Top 40,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “As an ambassador of good will who embodied the American dream, he was one of the most loved and recognizable radio personalities of all time, the likes of whom we may never see again in today’s age of the internet. We are proud to work with his wife Jean Kasem in presenting his most cherished and most valuable artifacts from his storied and pioneering career in radio as well as their fine collection of prized possessions and personal items from their estate in Holmby Hills.”

Auction highlights include (with estimates):

Casey Kasem’s collection of audio equipment, vinyl records, celebrity signed guitars, letters and other memorabilia and artifacts from his distinguished radio and television career including: his personally used German made Neumann brand model U 87 Ai studio microphone which includes its original wooden box and shockmount ($1,000 - $2,000); a vintage McIntosh brand, model MC-240 Stereo Power tube amplifier ($1,000 - $2,000) as well as a vintage Teac brand A-4010S reel-toreel tape deck and vintage Sansui brand, model SR-838 turntable; his enormous record collections spanning various genres, time periods and an array of artists such as various single collections of vintage 7-inch 45rpm record singles of over 300 to 500 records in each lot (range each $200 - $700); a collection of approximately 70 vintage LP record albums including works by The Grateful Dead, Albert King, Jethro Tull, Aretha Franklin, and Iron Butterfly ($200 - $300); a collection of approximately 40 vintage funk and blues LP records, including works by Mike Bloomfield, Wynder K. Frog, Ike & Tina Turner, and Curtis Mayfield among others ($200 - $300) as well as other collections featuring classic rock to jazz artists; a pair of commemorative America’s Top 10 bomber jackets with “Jean” and “Casey” embroidered in red ($200 - $300); Scooby-Doo ephemera such as three original (one framed) animation cels featuring one cel of Kasem’s character Norville “Shaggy” Rogers standing alone, another cel featuring the entire Mystery Gang, and the final cel of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo with an attached note from Joseph Barbera ($200 - $300), a lot containing four original scripts from Scooby & The Reluctant Werewolf, Scooby & Scrappy Show, and two from Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue, as well as photos of Kasem posing with Scooby-Doo, a signed portrait of Kasem with various animated characters he voiced and other items ($100 - $200); a wool sweater worn by Casey Kasem during his first guest appearance in the hit teen series Saved By The Bell in 1989 ($200 - $300); an original District Bank Limited check made out to Lineside Electronics Ltd. for £3,000 pounds, signed by John Lennon and dated May 29th, 1970, approximately one month following the breakup of The Beatles in a custom-frame together with an image of Lennon ($1,000 - $2,000) as well as signed checks by George Harrison and Ringo Starr; a typed letter from The Beach Boys to Casey Kasem, dated February 25th, 1969, thanking him for a presentation he made on February 16th, 1969 with a message that reads: “It is nice to know that people of your stature in the industry, still think of the Beach Boys as a creative power in today’s music scene” ($800 - $1,200) and a black Fender brand Squier electric guitar signed by The Beach Boys ($600 - $800); a black ESP electric guitar signed by Led Zeppelin ($600 - $800); a black Fender brand Squire electric guitar signed by Paul McCartney and a black Fender brand Squire electric guitar signed by Stevie Nicks, Fergie, and numerous other musical artists (range each $600 - $1,200); a standard brand S101 acoustic guitar featuring an Eagles emblem design, signed by The Eagles ($600 - $800); a U2 signed Huntington brand acoustic guitar ($600-$800) and guitars signed by Bruce Springsteen, Maroon 5 and more; a Stan Lee original inked comic panel featuring Spider-Man (dated October 16th, 1994) signed by artists Paul Ryan and Joe Sinnott, as well as Lee, together with a Stan Lee signed vintage Marvel Comics windbreaker featuring an image of Spider-Man in his black Symbiote costume ($600 - $800); bound editions of vintage Rolling Stone magazines (1968-1971 issues) ($200 - $300); thirteen signed letters (two framed) on Dick Clark Letterhead, ranging in date from 1965-2001, written by Dick Clark to Casey Kasem that display their lifelong friendship ($500 - $700); a Henry Mancini signed “Moon River” sheet music, photograph and letter ($500 - $700); a group of vintage lead sheets for the original Paul Anka version of the iconic song “My Way,” signed by Frank Sinatra ($500 - $700); maroon Everlast brand boxing gloves, signed and inscribed by Muhammad Ali with messages for Casey and Jean Kasem, housed in a plastic display case ($400 - $600), as well as letters, photographs and cards signed by Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Bob Hope, Betty White, Peter Sellers, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Oprah Winfrey; his awards such as his 25th Anniversary plaque from Westwood One, California Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Award and 2004 Clear Channel Lifetime Achievement Award (each range $200 - $300); Casey Kasem’s signature 1980s American Top 40-era sweaters featuring retro-patterned cotton and wool sweaters from designers, Coogi Australia, Cyril’s Beverly Hills, Gianfranco Ruffini, Perry Ellis America, Out ‘Town, and more.

A collection of early scripts and ephemera from the early broadcasting career of Casey Kasem, will also be offered from his days at the Wayne University Radio Division, where Kasem attended college for Speech and Dramatics, a radio program feature from WJW-Radio in Cleveland, Ohio, a card given to Kasem by fellow WBNY-Buffalo employees, early 1960s KEWB Oakland program logs various television show ideas and script mock ups including one for American Top 10 ($100 - $200); a large group of artist biographies including Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, The Beatles, Diana Ross, The Shirelles, Percy Faith, Barbara Streisand, handwritten notes, and other ephemera related to American Top 40 ($100 - $200); a large group of ephemera related to the Israel-Palestine Peace signing (also known as The Oslo Accords) at The White House on September 13th, 1993, in which Casey Kasem was in attendance, such as various newspapers, magazines, congratulatory letters, handwritten notes, photographs, a White house program booklet and folder, as well as a pamphlet inscribed to Kasem by former President Bill Clinton and letters and clippings related to Kasem’s humanitarian efforts ($200 - $300) and more.

Items, ephemera and costumes from the life and career of Jean Kasem, most notably related to her recurring role as Loretta Tortelli, in the long running hit comedy series Cheers, the bubbly, blonde second wife of Nick Tortelli (Dan Hedaya) and the spinoff series, The Tortellis, such as a cream midi silk dress with black polka dots designed by Paul-Louis Orrier Paris for Giorgio Beverly Hills worn in the 1985 episode “If I Ever Would Leave You” ($200 - $300); a jaguar print faux fur coat, leopard print dress, black and pink floral print dress and other “Loretta Tortelli” costumes; Jean Kasem’s signed original Cheers scripts with marks related to her lines and Jean and Casey Kasem’s satin Cheers commemorative bomber jackets with “Jean” and “Casey” embroidered; Jean’s champagne colored wedding dress with veil and cropped jackets worn to her 1980 marriage to Casey that was officiated by Reverend Jesse Jackson ($500 - $700); Jean’s glamourous red carpet ensembles such as a Birgitta Beverly Hills pale pink silk slip dress, worn to the Oscar’s Award Party at Spago, Beverly Hills and seen photographed in the dress with Steve Martin whom she appeared with on The Martin Short Show ($100 - $200); a dramatic floor-length purple gown with attached faux flowers, designed by “Addictions Michael Roche - Victor De La Pena,” along with two detachable fabric components, worn by Jean Kasem to the 39th Annual 1987 Primetime Emmy Awards ($100 - $200); a nude bodysuit, cape, and neck-piece designed for Jean Kasem in 1992 by “Ramiro K. for Bob Mackie” accompanied by an original fashion sketch with fabric samples ($100 - $200); a ruby Oscar de la Renta evening gown, worn by Jean Kasem to the Ellis Island Medals of Honor Awards Gala in 1990 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City ($100 - $200); a black faceted bead necklace centering a heart pendant with simulated diamonds, together with earrings such as a pair of inverted Christian Dior teardrop earrings with simulated diamonds, a pair of Roman black enamel and simulated diamond earrings, a pair of black enamel clip-on earrings with three princess cut simulated diamonds ($500 - $700); vintage costume jewelry designed by Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Moschino and more (each lot $400 - $600); plus, her collection of vintage bustiers, vintage 90s Chanel Boutique clothing and other jewelry and accessories.

Fine furniture, paintings, household and decorative items and Jean and Casey’s favorite possessions from the Kasems’ magnificent estate in Holmby Hills, California such as their 2009 silver Mercedes-Benz four door G 55 Wagon which will include a replica of Casey’s star on the Hollywood Walk of fame and autographed picture of Casey and Jean Kasem ($50,000 - $70,000); an assembled set of Gorham Versailles pattern sterling flatware for 12 with assorted monograms, 245 pieces total in an antique Gorham fitted velvet-lined mahogany box. ($10,000 - $20,000); a Louis Vuitton monogram coated canvas steamer trunk with a brass monogram plate that reads “J.K.C.” ($8,000 - $12,000); a set of Coalport gilt and reticulated dessert plates, each with floriform agate reserves and green Coalport backstamp on the underside ($4,000 - $6,000); a pair of antique French giltwood Versailles style three-light lanterns with crown and fleur-de-lys decorative elements and glass panes ($3,000 - $5,000); a set of four Ralph Lauren Home “Jamaica” wicker dining chairs with faux leather cushions ($2,000 - $3,000); a 19th century Chippendale style shaped double pedestal partner’s desk with bronze batwing brasses and short cabriole legs ($1,000 - $2,000); “Etude d’enfant,” 1889, pastel on paper, signed and dated lower left by Emile Levy with a brass plate reading “Societe des Amis des Arts de Bordeaux/Exposition de 1899” ($2,000 - $4,000); a venetian mirror with the lipstick writing of slogans such as “Reach for the Stars,” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll” ($300 - $500); a faux-leather barber chair with wood armrests and chromed base ($200 - $300); a pair of Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machines with brass mounted stainless cases ($800 - $1,200); a 1963 color lithograph print by Pablo Picasso titled, “Maternite,” hand signed by Picasso ($600 - $800); as well as artwork from Leroy Neiman and Melanie Taylor, Louis XVI style parlor furniture, Herend Queen Victoria green border china dinnerware service, Chesterfield sofas, marble vases, chandeliers, console tables, lamps, bronze jewelry casket, 20th century carousel and rocking horses, daybeds, Italian baroque style armchairs and more.