John Kassir
John Kassir 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 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, to an Iraqi father from Mosul and a Syrian mother from Mardin, present-day Turkey. He is of Assyrian descent.
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. 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 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. 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, 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. Additionally, he voiced Jibolba in the Tak and the Power of Juju video game series, Pete Puma in The Looney Tunes Show, Scissorsmith in Samurai Jack, and Mervis and Dunlap in CatDog.
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, along with Bill Nighy, as Fallon, the two-headed leader of the giants; Nighy played the big head while Kassir played the small head. 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, 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, 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 KeeperAnd Then There Was Eve – G. AlexanderBeethoven's Christmas Adventure – Stray Dog Casper – voice of the Crypt KeeperFlora & Ulysses – Ulysses' vocal effectsHellblazers – RickJack the Giant Slayer – General Fallon's small headMonster Mash – IgorMonster Mutt – Pet Shop PetePete's Dragon – Elliot's vocalsRace to Witch Mountain – ChuckReefer Madness: The Movie Musical – Ralph Wiley and Uncle Sam in "Tell 'Em the Truth"Smothered – HimselfSpy Hard – Rancor Guard at intercomTales From the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood voice of The Crypt KeeperTales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight voice of the Crypt Keeper
Television
1st & Ten – Zagreb ShkenuskyAsk Harriet – KennyBeethoven's Christmas Adventure – Stray DogBizarre Transmissions from the Bermuda Triangle – HimselfBones – Lawrence MelvoyBoston Common – FrankieBrotherly Love – The Crypt KeeperBump and Grind – Dick ScorvoCastle – Mr. DreyfusCharmed – The AlchemistCold Case – Kip Crowley CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Hotel Guest Dream On – Chuck Dysfunctional with No Filter Paul and Denise – Himself Early Edition – Jersy CarpathianFriends – StanleyFM – Don TupsouniGrounded for Life – MusgroveHangin' with Mr. Cooper – PhotographerHot in Cleveland – The PopeIn Living Color – HimselfJenny – ChazJoan of Arcadia – Mime GodJohnnytime – JohnnyLast Chance Lloyd – TeacherLenny – MaxLove Boat: The Next Wave – Dmitri ShishtokovichMalcolm & Eddie – RoosterMcBride: Tune in for Murder – Danny DoyleMoonlighting – Police Detective Mr. Rhodes – Mr. KotterMystic Cosmic Patrol – Martini BotNCIS – Perry SwanNew Wave Comedy – HimselfPhilly – Arnie KelloggSecrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House – The Crypt KeeperShowtime at the Apollo – HimselfSliders – Arnold PottsStar Search – HimselfStar Trek: Voyager – Gar Tales from the Crypt – The Crypt KeeperTeam Knight Rider – PlatoThe Amanda Show – Regular PerformerThe Facts of Life – AndreThe Handler – CharlieThe New Mike Hammer – VentriloquistThe Single Guy – Maitre 'D, WaiterThe Three Stooges – Shemp HowardThe Visitor – HimselfTour of Duty – Lenny PilchowskiTwo Minutes to Midnight – Bob
Animated film
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island – ScuttlebuttAnd Then There Was Eve – G. AlexanderBayonetta: Bloody Fate – EnzoCasper's Scare School – P.A. Voice, Additional voicesChance Manifest – RonnieChannels – WalterCurious George 2: Follow That Monkey! – Additional voicesCyber-Tracker 2 – TripwireDespicable Me 3 – Additional voicesDonner Pass – James Michael EpsteinDr. Rage – Moe MoebiusEncino Woman – Jean MichelGeorge of the Jungle 2 – Voice of Rocky, ArmandoGhost Cat Anzu – Voice of MasterHeartstoppers: Horror at the Movies – Voice Over AnnouncerJack the Giant Slayer – General Fallon's Small HeadJustice League of America – Atom/Ray PalmerMinions – Additional voicesMinions: The Rise of Gru – Additional voicesMinkow – Jim CowellMockingbird Lane – Tim Monsters University – Additional VoicesNothing Special – MartyNo York City –Pirate Camp – Blackbeard's HeadPlanes – Additional voicesPocahontas – MeekoPocahontas II: Journey to a New World – MeekoReefer Madness: Grass Roots – HimselfTales from the Crypt Presents: Ritual – The Crypt KeeperSing – Additional voicesSing 2 – Additional voicesSmothered – HimselfSoccer Dog: European Cup – QuintSpaced Out! – HimselfTales from the Crypt: New Year's Shockin' Eve – The Crypt KeeperThe Dog Days of Winter – Coffee Shop ManagerThe Glass Jar – JohnThe Gunrunner Billy Kane – MachinistThe Grinch – Additional voicesThe Horror Hall of Fame II – The Crypt KeeperThe Midget Stays in the Picture – B List DirectorThe Misunderstanding of Carl Jr. – Boots, BerkoThe Princess and the Frog – Additional VoicesThe Prophet – Additional voicesThe Secret Life of Pets – Additional voicesThe Secret Life of Pets 2 – Additional voicesThe Smurfs – Crazy SmurfThe Smurfs 2 – Crazy SmurfThe Taker – JohnThe Tale of Tillie's Dragon – HermanThe Wild – Additional voicesThe Wild Thornberrys Movie – Squirrel #1Tiny Toons' Night Ghoulery – Buster BunnyTiny Toons Spring Break – Buster BunnyVidiots – Lester Plotz
Animation
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters – Additional voicesAdventure Time – Additional voicesAfro Samurai – SoshunAs Told by Ginger – Winston, Additional voicesAvatar: The Last Airbender – CheyBack at the Barnyard – WinkyBen 10 – Zombozo, Thief #1Bonkers – Additional voicesBreadwinners – Additional voicesBunnicula – AshBuzz Lightyear of Star Command – Marl, Evan Zarl, Snark, ZinkoCatDog – Mervis, Dunglap, Additional voicesDanger Rangers – FallbotDC Super Friends – Joker's Playhouse – JokerDexter's Laboratory – Additional voicesDota: Dragon's Blood – VahdrakDuckman – Additional voicesDuck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special – Scrooge McDuckEarthworm Jim – Snott, HenchratEek! The Cat – Mittens, Additional voicesHercules – CharonJohnny Bravo – Additional voicesKim Possible – Additional voicesKung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness – Sai So, SanzuMickey Mouse – Scrooge McDuck Mighty Ducks – BeldarMy Life as a Teenage Robot – Additional voicesNew Looney Tunes – Pete PumaOh Yeah! Cartoons – Randy, Aunt Broth, Hobart, The Fisherman, Riot Man #1Problem Child – Yoji, MurphRandom! Cartoons – Ice King, Fire Elemental, Bone, The Soldier Flies, Dugly Uckling, Kung Pao BunnyRick and Morty – Blim BlamRocket Power – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket, Additional voicesSamurai Jack – ScissorsmithScooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights – HamanSolar Opposites – The Crypt KeeperSuper Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! – Wigglenog, Short MercenaryTales from the Cryptkeeper – The Crypt KeeperTeamo Supremo – CheapskateTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Dark Beaver, Dave BeaverThe Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius – Seymour, Student #2, Pants The Brothers Flub – Additional voicesThe Cartoon Cartoon Show – LeopardThe Flintstones: On the Rocks – Additional voicesThe Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy – Additional voicesThe Little Mermaid – RatsThe Looney Tunes Show – Pete Puma, Nametag Guy, Craig, Cop #2The Mummy: Secrets of the Medjai – Sub Pilot DimitriThe Plucky Duck Show – Buster Bunny The Simpsons – Additional voicesThe Weekenders – Tripp NickersonThe Wild Thornberrys – El GorditaTime Squad – Alfred Nobel, Rasputin, Thomas JeffersonTimon & Pumbaa – Additional voicesTiny Toon Adventures – Buster Bunny Totally Spies! – Additional voicesWhat-a-Mess – Additional voices
Video games
Afro Samurai – Soshun, Additional voices\Arknights – Friston-3Batman: Arkham Origins – Voice CastBayonetta 2 – EnzoBayonetta 3 – EnzoBouncers – Additional voicesDead Rising – Adam MacIntyre, Additional voicesDiablo III – Additional VoicesDiablo III: Reaper of Souls – Additional voicesEverQuest II – Additional VoicesFinal Fantasy XV – IfritFreelancer – Additional voicesHalo 2 – MarinesHalo 5: Guardians – Additional voicesHalo: The Master Chief Collection – Marine Icewind Dale – Belhifet, Poquelin, Additional voicesLego Jurassic World – Additional voicesMadagascar – Additional voicesMarvel: Ultimate Alliance – DeadpoolMarvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 – Deadpool, Venom Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars – Alkari Advisor, Additional voicesMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance – MonsoonMySims Kingdom – SimNinety-Nine Nights II – Galdo, Zign, VillagerPlayStation Move Heroes – ToucanRépublique – Noam PeretzRocket Power: Team Rocket Rescue – Ray "Raymundo" RocketRocket Power: Beach Bandits – Ray "Raymundo" Rocket, CyraxSacrifice – Additional voicesShadows of the Damned – DemonsShrek SuperSlam – Announcer, Humpty DumptySorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – MeekoSkylanders: Giants – Ghost RoasterSkylanders: Imaginators – Ghost Roaster, Pit Boss, Short CutSkylanders: Spyro's Adventure – Additional voicesSkylanders: SuperChargers – Ghost Roaster, Short Cut, Captain Frightbeard, SpellslamzerSkylanders: Swap Force – Ghost RoasterSkylanders: Trap Team – Ghost Roaster, Short Cut, RizzoSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensions – Scorpion 2099, Kron Stone, Deadpool's fansSpider-Man 3 – Additional voicesSyphon Filter: The Omega Strain – Birchim, Co-Pilot, FBI Officer B, Officer A, ZoharT'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger – Monkey Master, Rat PirateTak: The Great Juju Challenge – JibolbaTak 2: The Staff of Dreams – JibolbaTak and the Power of Juju – JibolbaThe Punisher – Additional voicesTiny Toon Adventures: Buster and the Beanstalk – Buster BunnyUltimate Spider-Man – Additional voicesUniverse at War: Earth Assault – Additional voicesX-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse – Deadpool, Pyro, Sauron
Theatre
3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down – Kenny BrewsterRoom Service – Faker EnglundLa Fiaca – NesterReefer Madness – Ralph WileyThe Glorious Ones – DottoreSafe – Danny GreenMan of La Mancha – Malachi StackSilence! The Musical – Jack CrawfordA Midsummer Night's Dream – PuckThe New American Theatre Festival of New One Act Plays – Performer