American actor and comedian
John Kassir
Born (1957-10-24 ) October 24, 1957 (age 66) Alma mater
Towson State University Occupations Years active 1983–present Spouse
(
m. 1998;
div. 2007)
John Kassir (born October 24, 1957)
[1] is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his work as the voice of
the Cryptkeeper in
HBO 's
Tales from the Crypt franchise.
[2] He also appeared in the role of Ralph in the
off-Broadway show
Reefer Madness and
its 2005 film adaptation . He is also the first voice actor to take over
Disney comics character
Scrooge McDuck following the death of
Alan Young .
Early life and education
John Kassir was born on October 24, 1957, in
Baltimore ,
Maryland ,
[1] to an
Iraqi father from
Mosul and a
Syrian mother from
Mardin , present-day
Turkey .
[3] He is of
Assyrian descent.
[4]
As a child, he often did impressions in school and was described as a "class clown". His mother would often buy props for him and he would entertain customers who were shopping outside of
Eudowood Plaza . He graduated from
Loch Raven High School and attended
Towson State University in
Towson, Maryland , where he studied theatre.
[5] He and several other students formed a comedy troupe called Animal Crackers.
[6]
Career
Stand-up comedy
Kassir originally began his career in
stand-up comedy , he first became known in 1985, when he defeated
Sinbad for best stand-up comic on
Star Search .
[7]
As a stand-up comic, he has opened for the likes of
Lou Rawls ,
Tom Jones ,
The Temptations and
Four Tops on their TNT Tour,
Bobby Vinton ,
Richard Belzer ,
U2 , and
Harry Blackstone Jr. among others. John has also appeared on stage performing improvisation with
Robin Williams .
[8]
Film and television
His film credits include,
And Then There Was Eve as G. Alexander,
Flora & Ulysses as Ulysses',
Hellblazers as Rick,
Jack the Giant Slayer ,
Monster Mash as
Igor ,
Monster Mutt as Pet Shop Pete,
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical as Ralph Wiley and
Uncle Sam ,
Smothered and
Spy Hard as Rancor Guard.
In television, he played the Bulgarian kicker, Zagreb Shkenusky, for 7 years in the
HBO comedy series
1st & Ten , about a fictional football team. His other live-action credits include sketch-acting on
The Amanda Show and a portrayal of
Shemp Howard in the 2000 TV biopic
The Three Stooges , produced by
Mel Gibson , and Ralph in Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical . He was also able to get his own
Pee-wee Herman style show in 1997 called Johnnytime , which aired for two seasons on the USA network. He also appeared as
The Atom in the
Justice League of America pilot episode, which, despite not being picked up, was released as a film in some markets. Kassir has appeared in over a dozen feature films, starred in eight TV pilots (six of which went to series and two of which lasted on air for over six years each) and guest-starred in dozens of TV series in both comic and dramatic roles.
Voice acting
Kassir has specialized in voice-over work for animation, video games, and other productions, most notably as the voice of Crypt Keeper in
Tales from the Crypt . He would later voice Ray "Raymundo" Rocket in
Rocket Power . He also provided the voice for the mercenary
Deadpool in the video games
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse ,
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance , and
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 , as well as for
Sauron and
Pyro , two other well-known characters. He was also featured in the very first commercial for the
Nintendo cornerstone video game series
The Legend of Zelda in the United States in 1987.
[9]
Kassir provided the vocal effects of the mischievous
raccoon Meeko in Disney's 1995 animated feature
Pocahontas and
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World . Also, he provided the voice of
Buster Bunny in four
Tiny Toon Adventures episodes (following
Charlie Adler 's departure from the role). He played the villainous Scuttlebutt in
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island . He also made one voice appearance in an episode of
Ben 10 , (Last Laugh ) as Zombozo. He voiced the character Adam MacIntyre and provided Additional voice over work in the video game
Dead Rising .
[10] His voice is featured in the games
Shadows of the Damned and
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance as Hell demons and Desperado Enforcement captain Monsoon, respectively.
In 2011, he voiced Crazy Smurf in the live-action/animated film
The Smurfs , and in 2012, he voiced Jealousy as well as Gumball, Penny, Leslie, Carrie & Darwin when he possesses them in
The Amazing World of Gumball episode "The Flower". Kassir appeared in
Bryan Singer 's
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013), along with
Bill Nighy , as Fallon, the two-headed leader of the giants; Nighy played the big head while Kassir played the small head.
[11]
Additionally, he voiced Buster Bunny (taking over from
Charlie Adler late in the final season of
Tiny Toon Adventures ), Ray "Raymundo" Rocket on
Rocket Power , the mischievous raccoon Meeko in
Pocahontas and its direct-to-video sequel, Jibolba in the
Tak and the Power of Juju video game series,
Pete Puma in
The Looney Tunes Show , and
Deadpool in
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse and the
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series. Kassir even voiced Elliot the Dragon in Disney's 2016 live-action remake of the 1977 live-action/animated movie
Pete's Dragon .
Kassir also voiced Rizzo in the
Spyro video game
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure , as well as Ghost Roaster in
Skylanders: Giants , Short Cut in
Skylanders: Trap Team , and Pit Boss in
Skylanders: Imaginators . He is also known for his various roles in
the first season of
The Amanda Show . He voiced the
Ice King in the original
Adventure Time pilot , but was replaced by
Tom Kenny for the series. He also provided additional voice over work for
Eek! The Cat ,
The Brothers Flub ,
Sonic the Hedgehog ,
Dead Rising ,
Casper's Scare School ,
Spider-Man 3 ,
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! ,
The Princess and the Frog ,
Diablo III ,
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls ,
Monsters University ,
The Prophet ,
Minions ,
Halo 5: Guardians ,
The Secret Life of Pets ,
Despicable Me 3 ,
My Life as a Teenage Robot ,
The Grinch and
The Secret Life of Pets 2 .
Theatre
A few of his many theater credits include: originating the role of Kenny in Three Guys Naked From The Waist Down (also starring
Scott Bakula ), for which he was nominated for both a Drama Desk and an
Outer Critics Circle award. John also originated the role of Ralph in the musical
Reefer Madness , on stage and in the film version.
Personal life
He married actress
Julie Benz on May 30, 1998, the marriage lasted for nine years until Benz filed for divorce in December 2007.
[12]
[13]
Filmography
Film
Television
Animated film
Animation
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters – Additional voices
Adventure Time – Additional voices
Afro Samurai – Soshun
[14]
As Told by Ginger – Winston, Additional voices
[14]
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Chey
[14]
Back at the Barnyard – Winky
[14]
Ben 10 – Zombozo, Thief #1
[14]
Bonkers – Additional voices
Breadwinners – Additional voices
[16]
[17]
Bunnicula – Ash
[14]
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command – Marl, Evan Zarl, Snark, Zinko
[14]
CatDog – Mervis, Dunglap, Additional voices
Danger Rangers – Fallbot
[14]
DC Super Friends - Joker's Playhouse –
Joker
[14]
Dexter's Laboratory – Additional voices
Dota: Dragon's Blood – Vahdrak
Duckman – Additional voices
Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special – Scrooge McDuck
Earthworm Jim – Snott, Henchrat
[14]
Eek! The Cat – Mittens, Additional voices
Hercules – Charon
Johnny Bravo – Additional voices
Kim Possible – Additional voices
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness – Sai So, Sanzu
[14]
Mickey Mouse (Holiday special) –
Scrooge McDuck (replacing
Alan Young )
Mighty Ducks – Beldar
My Life as a Teenage Robot – Additional voices
New Looney Tunes –
Pete Puma
Oh Yeah! Cartoons – Randy, Aunt Broth, Hobart, The Fisherman, Riot Man #1
Problem Child – Yoji, Murph
Random! Cartoons – Ice King, Fire Elemental, Bone, The Soldier Flies, Dugly Uckling, Kung Pao Bunny
[14]
Rick and Morty – Blim Blam
Rocket Power – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket, Additional voices
Samurai Jack – Scissorsmith
[14]
Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights – Haman
[14]
Solar Opposites - The Crypt Keeper
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! – Wigglenog, Short Mercenary
Tales from the Cryptkeeper –
The Crypt Keeper
Teamo Supremo – Cheapskate
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Dark Beaver, Dave Beaver
[18]
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius – Seymour, Student #2, Pants (Ep. When Pants Attack)
The Brothers Flub – Additional voices
The Cartoon Cartoon Show – Leopard
The Flintstones: On the Rocks – Additional voices
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy – Additional voices
[14]
The Little Mermaid – Rats
The Looney Tunes Show – Pete Puma, Nametag Guy, Craig, Cop #2
[14]
The Mummy: Secrets of the Medjai – Sub Pilot Dimitri
The Plucky Duck Show – Buster Bunny (archive footage)
The Simpsons – Additional voices
The Weekenders – Tripp Nickerson
[14]
The Wild Thornberrys – El Gordita
[14]
Time Squad –
Alfred Nobel ,
Rasputin ,
Thomas Jefferson
[19]
Timon & Pumbaa – Additional voices
Tiny Toon Adventures – Buster Bunny (replacing
Charlie Adler )
Totally Spies – Additional voices
What-a-Mess – Additional voices
Video games
Afro Samurai – Soshun, Additional voices\
Arknights – Friston-3
[20]
Batman: Arkham Origins – Voice Cast
[21]
Bayonetta 2 – Enzo
[14]
Bayonetta 3 – Enzo
[14]
Bouncers – Additional voices
Dead Rising – Adam MacIntyre, Additional voices
Diablo III – Additional Voices
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Additional voices
EverQuest II – Additional Voices
Final Fantasy XV – Ifrit
Freelancer – Additional voices
Halo 2 – Marines
Halo 5: Guardians – Additional voices
[22]
Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Marine (archive sound)
Icewind Dale – Belhifet, Poquelin, Additional voices
Lego Jurassic World – Additional voices
Madagascar – Additional voices
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance –
Deadpool
[14]
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 – Deadpool, Venom (Wii / PS2)
[14]
Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars – Alkari Advisor, Additional voices
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – Monsoon
[14]
MySims Kingdom – Sim
Ninety-Nine Nights II – Galdo, Zign, Villager
PlayStation Move Heroes – Toucan
République – Noam Peretz
Rocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket
Rocket Power: Beach Bandits – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket, Cyrax
[14]
Sacrifice – Additional voices
Shadows of the Damned – Demons
Shrek SuperSlam – Announcer, Humpty Dumpty
[14]
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – Meeko
Skylanders: Giants – Ghost Roaster
Skylanders: Imaginators – Ghost Roaster, Pit Boss, Short Cut
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure – Additional voices
Skylanders: SuperChargers – Ghost Roaster, Short Cut, Captain Frightbeard, Spellslamzer
[23]
Skylanders: Swap Force – Ghost Roaster
Skylanders: Trap Team ' – Ghost Roaster, Short Cut, Rizzo
[24]
[25]
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions –
Scorpion 2099 ,
[14] Kron Stone, Deadpool's fans
Spider-Man 3 – Additional voices
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain – Birchim, Co-Pilot, FBI Officer B, Officer A, Zohar
T'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger – Monkey Master, Rat Pirate
Tak: The Great Juju Challenge – Jibolba
[14]
Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams – Jibolba
[14]
Tak and the Power of Juju – Jibolba
[14]
The Punisher – Additional voices
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster and the Beanstalk – Buster Bunny
Ultimate Spider-Man – Additional voices
Universe at War: Earth Assault – Additional voices
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse – Deadpool,
Pyro ,
Sauron
[14]
Theatre
References
^
a
b
"IBDB:John Kassir" . www.ibdb.com . Retrieved December 26, 2021 .
^
John Kassir + More join the TRINITY OF TERRORS!
^
"Obituary for Albert Kassir" .
^ @JohnKassir (May 17, 2013).
"@BrettAnthony92 Thx for asking! A very old civilization,The Assyrian Race. My ancestors were of the first Christians from the Aramaic Tribes" (
Tweet ) – via
Twitter .
^
"Towson graduate uses talents to make it to the big time" . December 4, 1992.
^
"Crypt Keeper says the darnedest things thanks to native son" . February 17, 1995.
^
"John Kassir" . Archived from
the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2016 .
^
"John Kassir | SMOTHERED & TALES FROM THE CRYPT" .
^
"John Kassir in the Legend of Zelda commercial" . YouTube.com. May 18, 2006.
Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2015 .
^
John Kassir: Demo reel at voicebank.net
Archived December 18, 2008, at the
Wayback Machine
^ Kit, Borys (February 9, 2011).
"Stanley Tucci Set for Villain in 'Jack the Giant Killer' " .
The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from
the original on March 16, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011 .
^
"Angel – Interviews – Julie Benz and John Kassir" .
BBC Online .
^
"Julie Benz engaged to Rich Orosco" .
KABC-TV . Retrieved November 12, 2014 . She obtained Bamboo when he was a puppy just after she and actor John Kassir split four years ago. He and Benz were married between 1998 and 2007. The two have no children...
^
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"John Kassir (visual voices guide)" . Retrieved March 21, 2015 . A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information. {{
cite web }}
: CS1 maint: postscript (
link )
^ Ehrlich, David (July 27, 2016).
"Pete's Dragon Review: An Old Disney Movie Becomes A New Disney Classic – IndieWire" . Retrieved December 13, 2016 .
^ "Viking Ducks/Birthday Bread". Breadwinners . Season 2. Episode 5. May 24, 2015. Nickelodeon.
^ "Trash Bandit/Eat at Pumpers". Breadwinners . Season 2. Episode 8. November 15, 2015. Nickelodeon.
^ "In Dreams". Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . Season 3. Episode 5. November 14, 2014. Nickelodeon.
^
"Time Squad (2001, Animated Series) Voice Cast" . Archived from
the original on December 17, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2016 .
^ @ArknightsEN (December 1, 2023).
"Friston 3 is an S-C Model four-wheeled Operation Platform, the first product of the Rhodes Island Smart Operation platform R&D Team's efforts" (
Tweet ) – via
Twitter .
^
"Batman: Arkham Origins (2013, Video Game) Voice Cast" . Archived from
the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016 .
^ 343 Industries.
Halo 5: Guardians . Scene: Closing credits, 7:01 in Additional Voices. {{
cite book }}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link )
^
Vicarious Visions .
Skylanders: SuperChargers .
Activision . Scene: Closing credits, 7:13 in, Voice Actors.
^
Toys for Bob .
Skylanders: Trap Team .
Activision . Scene: Closing credits, 8:40 in, Voice Actors.
^
"Skylanders: Trap Team (2014, Video Game) Voice Cast" . Archived from
the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016 .
^
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"John Kassir theatre profile" .
External links
International National Artists