Casey Kasem Dies at 82

Casey Kasem, the golden voice of Top 40 radio for decades, has died. He was 82.

Kasem's daughter Kerri broke the news on Sunday morning tweeting, "Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends. 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."

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Earlier this week, a Los Angeles judge reversed his decision, giving Kerri the authority to implement end-of-life measures for the critically ill star. Kasem's health had been declining after he was hospitalized due to a sepsis from a pressure ulcer. The radio icon also suffered fromParkinson's Disease.

Since October, Kasem's wife Jean has been involved in legal disputes with three children from Kasem's first marriage, Kerri, Julie and Mike. Jean repeatedly blocked the children from visiting their father until avisitation agreement was finally reached.

Born Kemal Amin Kasem in Detroit, Kasey began his radio career as an announcer on the Armed Forces Radio Korea Network while he was in the Army. Once back in the states, Kasem earned a few small movie roles which led to a voiceover career that included the role of Shaggy onScooby Doo. 

Kasem's biggest fame came from his weekly syndicated American Top 40 show that ran from 1970-1988 and from 1998 to 2004. Kasem was famous for his signature signoff: "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."

In 1985, Kasem was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame radio division.

From 1989 to 1998, on every New Year's Eve Kasem also hosted Nick at Nite's Rerun/Classic TV/TV Hits Countdown which named the 25 "most classic" episodes of the TV shows airing on Nick at Nite determined by viewers at home.

Kasem is survived by his second wife Jean and three children from his first marriage.