John Kassir

John Kassir (born October 24, 1957) 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. He is also known for his role as 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, after the death of Alan Young.
Early life
John Kassir was born on October 24, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland, to an Iraqi father from Mosul and a Syrian mother from Mardin, present-day Turkey. He is of Assyrian descent. As a child, he would often do 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 where he studied theatre. He and several other students formed a comedy troupe called Animal Crackers.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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, 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.
Filmography
Film
American Scary – Himself – Crypt Keeper
And Then There Was Eve – G. Alexander
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure - Stray Dog
Casper - voice of the Crypt Keeper
Flora & Ulysses – Ulysses' vocal effects
Hellblazers – Rick
Jack the Giant Slayer – General Fallon's small head
Monster Mash – Igor
Monster Mutt – Pet Shop Pete
Pete's Dragon – Elliot's vocals
Race to Witch Mountain - Chuck
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical – Ralph Wiley and Uncle Sam in "Tell 'Em the Truth"
Smothered – Himself
Spy Hard – Rancor Guard at intercom
Tales From the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood voice of The Crypt Keeper
Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight voice of the Crypt Keeper
Television
1st & Ten – Zagreb Shkenusky
Ask Harriet – Kenny
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure – Stray Dog
Bizarre Transmissions from the Bermuda Triangle – Himself
Bones – Lawrence Melvoy
Boston Common – Frankie
Brotherly Love – The Crypt Keeper
Bump and Grind (pilot) – Dick Scorvo
Castle – Mr. Dreyfus
Charmed – The Alchemist
Cold Case – Kip Crowley (Episode: "Greed")
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Hotel Guest (Episode: "Assume Nothing")
Dream On – Chuck (Episode: "The Guilty Party")
Dysfunctional with No Filter Paul and Denise – Himself (2016)
Early Edition – Jersy Carpathian
Friends – Stanley
FM – Don Tupsouni
Grounded for Life – Musgrove
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper – Photographer
Hot in Cleveland – The Pope
In Living Color – Himself
Jenny – Chaz
Joan of Arcadia – Mime God
Johnnytime – Johnny
Last Chance Lloyd – Teacher
Lenny – Max
Love Boat: The Next Wave – Dmitri Shishtokovich
Malcolm & Eddie – Rooster
Moonlighting – Police Detective (Episode: "Yours, Very Deadly")
Mr. Rhodes – Mr. Kotter
Mystic Cosmic Patrol – Martini Bot
NCIS – Perry Swan
New Wave Comedy – Himself
Philly – Arnie Kellogg
Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House – The Crypt Keeper
Showtime at the Apollo – Himself
Sliders – Arnold Potts
Star Search – Himself
Star Trek: Voyager – Gar (Episode: "Critical Care")
Tales from the Crypt – The Crypt Keeper
Team Knight Rider – Plato
The Amanda Show – Regular Performer
The Facts of Life (1 episode) – Andre
The Handler – Charlie
The New Mike Hammer – Ventriloquist
The Single Guy – Maitre 'D, Waiter
The Three Stooges – Shemp Howard
The Visitor – Himself
Tour of Duty – Lenny Pilchowski
Two Minutes to Midnight – Bob
Animated film
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island – Scuttlebutt
And Then There Was Eve – G. Alexander
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate – Enzo
Casper's Scare School – P.A. Voice, Additional voices
Chance Manifest – Ronnie
Channels – Walter
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! – Additional voices
Cyber-Tracker 2 – Tripwire
Despicable Me 3 – Additional voices
Donner Pass – James Michael Epstein
Dr. Rage – Moe Moebius
Encino Woman – Jean Michel
George of the Jungle 2 – Voice of Rocky, Armando
Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies – Voice Over Announcer
Jack the Giant Slayer – General Fallon's Small Head
Justice League of America – Atom/Ray Palmer
McBride: Tune in for Murder – Danny Doyle
Minions – Additional voices
Minions: The Rise of Gru - Additional voices
Minkow – Jim Cowell
Mockingbird Lane – Tim (uncredited)
Monsters University – Additional Voices
Nothing Special – Marty
No York City –
Pirate Camp – Blackbeard's Head
Planes – Additional voices
Pocahontas – Meeko
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World – Meeko
Reefer Madness: Grass Roots – Himself
Tales from the Crypt Presents: Ritual – The Crypt Keeper
Sing – Additional voices
Sing 2 – Additional voices
Smothered – Himself
Soccer Dog: European Cup – Quint
Spaced Out! – Himself
Tales from the Crypt: New Year's Shockin' Eve – The Crypt Keeper
The Dog Days of Winter – Coffee Shop Manager
The Glass Jar – John
The Gunrunner Billy Kane – Machinist
The Grinch – Additional voices
The Horror Hall of Fame II – The Crypt Keeper
The Midget Stays in the Picture – B List Director
The Misunderstanding of Carl Jr. – Boots, Berko
The Princess and the Frog – Additional Voices
The Prophet – Additional voices
The Secret Life of Pets – Additional voices
The Secret Life of Pets 2 – Additional voices
The Smurfs – Crazy Smurf
The Smurfs 2 – Crazy Smurf
The Taker – John
The Tale of Tillie's Dragon – Herman
The Wild – Additional voices
The Wild Thornberrys Movie – Squirrel #1
Tiny Toons' Night Ghoulery – Buster Bunny
Tiny Toons Spring Break – Buster Bunny
Vidiots – Lester Plotz
Animation
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters – Additional voices
Adventure Time – Additional voices
Afro Samurai – Soshun
As Told by Ginger – Winston, Additional voices
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Chey
Back at the Barnyard – Winky
Ben 10 – Zombozo, Thief #1
Bonkers – Additional voices
Breadwinners – Additional voices
Bunnicula – Ash
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command – Marl, Evan Zarl, Snark, Zinko
CatDog – Mervis, Dunglap, Additional voices
Danger Rangers – Fallbot
DC Super Friends - Joker's Playhouse – Joker
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
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
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
Rick and Morty – Blim Blam
Rocket Power – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket, Additional voices
Samurai Jack – Scissorsmith
Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights – Haman
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
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
The Little Mermaid – Rats
The Looney Tunes Show – Pete Puma, Nametag Guy, Craig, Cop #2
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
The Wild Thornberrys – El Gordita
Time Squad – Alfred Nobel, Rasputin, Thomas Jefferson
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
Batman: Arkham Origins – Voice Cast
Bayonetta 2 – Enzo
Bayonetta 3 – Enzo
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
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
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 – Deadpool, Venom (Wii / PS2)
Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars – Alkari Advisor, Additional voices
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – Monsoon
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
Sacrifice – Additional voices
Shadows of the Damned – Demons
Shrek SuperSlam – Announcer, Humpty Dumpty
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
Skylanders: Swap Force – Ghost Roaster
Skylanders: Trap Team' – Ghost Roaster, Short Cut, Rizzo
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions – Scorpion 2099, 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
Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams – Jibolba
Tak and the Power of Juju – Jibolba
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
Theatre
3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down - Kenny Brewster
Room Service - Faker Englund
La Fiaca - Nester
Reefer Madness - Ralph Wiley
The Glorious Ones - Dottore
Safe - Danny Green
Man of La Mancha - Malachi Stack
Silence! The Musical - Jack Crawford
A Midsummer Night's Dream - Puck
The New American Theatre Festival of New One Act Plays'' - Performer
References
External links
1957 births
20th-century American comedians
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American male actors
American male comedians
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male video game actors
American male voice actors
American people of Iraqi-Assyrian descent
American people of Syrian-Assyrian descent
Animal impersonators
Living people