Scooby Doo is one of the most beloved animated TV shows of all time. The show, which premiered in 1969, follows a group of teenagers and their talking Great Dane, Scooby Doo, as they solve mysteries involving ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural phenomena. But while Scooby may be the star of the show, he wouldn’t be complete without the voices of the other characters. Here are the TV actors behind the original Scooby Doo voices.
Don Messick as Scooby Doo
Don Messick was the voice behind Scooby Doo from the show’s inception until his death in 1997. Messick was a prolific voice actor, lending his talents to many other animated shows and movies. He was known for his ability to create unique and distinct voices for each of his characters, and Scooby Doo was no exception.
Casey Kasem as Shaggy
Casey Kasem was the original voice of Shaggy, Scooby’s best friend and owner. Kasem was a radio personality and voice actor who lent his voice to many animated shows and movies throughout his career. He played Shaggy from the show’s inception until 1995, and again in 2002 for the movie “Scooby Doo: The Movie.”
Frank Welker as Fred and Scooby Doo
Frank Welker has been a fixture in the voice acting world for decades, and he was involved with the original Scooby Doo series from the beginning. While Don Messick was the original voice of Scooby, Welker also provided the voice of the lovable Great Dane in various spin-offs and movies. Welker also voiced Fred, the leader of the Mystery Inc. gang, from the show’s inception until 2001.
Nicole Jaffe as Velma
Nicole Jaffe voiced Velma, the brains of the Mystery Inc. gang, from the show’s inception until 1973. Jaffe was not a professional voice actor; in fact, she was the personal assistant to William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the creators of Scooby Doo. They cast her as Velma because they loved her distinctive voice, and Jaffe quickly became an integral part of the show’s success.
Stefanianna Christopherson as Daphne
Stefanianna Christopherson voiced Daphne, the fashion-conscious member of the Mystery Inc. gang, from the show’s inception until 1970. Christopherson was a relative unknown when she was cast as Daphne, and her voice acting career was brief. She left the show after just one season, citing personal reasons.
Scooby Doo has been a staple of American pop culture for more than 50 years, and the show’s original cast of voice actors played a significant role in its success. While many of the actors have passed away or moved on to other projects, their contributions to the show will always be remembered. Scooby and his gang have become beloved icons, and their adventures continue to capture the imaginations of fans young and old.
