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.John Kassir + More join the TRINITY OF TERRORS! 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 (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.John Kassir: Demo reel at voicebank.net 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 (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. 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 and Captain Dreadbeard 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 (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 McBride: Tune in for Murder – Danny Doyle 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 Ghost Cat Anzu – Voice of Master Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies – Voice Over Announcer Jack the Giant Slayer – General Fallon's Small Head Justice League of America – Atom/Ray Palmer 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 Earthworm Jim – Snott, Henchrat Eek! The Cat – Mittens, Additional voices Hercules – Charon JJ Villard's Fairy Tales – Pinocchio, Gelato Johnny Bravo – Additional voices Kim Possible – Additional voices Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness – Sai So, Sanzu Mickey Mouse (holiday specials) – 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