Five Things You Didn’t Know About Jean Kasem

Jean Kasem and Casey Kasem at the Museum of Television and Radio's annual gala

Former actress, Jean Kasem, is best known for her nearly 30 year marriage to legendary radio personality, the late Casey Kasem.  The couple, who wed in 1980, had fallen under speculation in recent years after Casey Kasem was diagnosed with a life threatening disease that would ultimately claim his life.  Unfortunately for her, Jean Kasem, has formed poor relationships with the rest of the Kasem family, including Casey Kasem’s adult children from a previous relationship.  Her behavior has created a negative reputation that has often caused her to be viewed in a cloud of mystery.  Although she had made many headlines, several details about Kasem’s life have been unclear.  Here are five things you didn’t know about Jean Kasem.

5. Jean Kasem has a history of being disliked by the Kasem family.

Although Jean Kasem had been married to legendary radio personality, Casey Kasem, for more than 30 years at the time of his death, she never really fit in with the rest of the Kasem family.  In 2013, Casey Kasem was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, an illness that eventually caused him to lose the ability to speak, and ultimately resulted in his death.  As his condition worsened, Jean Kasem prevented anyone, especially Casey’s children from a previous marriage, from having contact with Mr. Kasem.  Tensions between Jean Kasem and the rest of the Kasem clan escalated when she threw a pound of hamburger meat at one of Casey Kasem’s daughters.  Although Jean Kasem insisted that she would do nothing to hurt her husband, and that his family was simply overreacting, other members of the Kasem family argued otherwise.  Mary Kasem, wife of Casey’s brother, Mouner, stated: “She [Jean Kasem] plays a lot of games…”She’s the one that poisoned everybody. She keeps talking about all these toxic relationships but she’s the one that made it that way. She’s very, very possessive. It’s not just the kids he can’t see — it’s his brother, his cousins, his friends of 40 years.” The bitter feud between the Kasems, has extended beyond Casey Kasem’s death, and for six months after his passing his body remained unburied.

4. Jean Kasem may have cheated on Casey Kasem at the height of his illness.

In June 2014, just days after his death, rumors again began to circulate that Jean Kasem had been cheating on her late husband for nearly two years of their marriage.  According to reports, Casey Kasem’s daughter, Kerri, speculated that her stepmother, Jean, had been cheating on her father with a younger man.  Logan Clarke, a private investigator hired by Kerri, stated: “Jean has a boyfriend and Kerri believes their affair has been going on for at least two years.”  Although the allegations of Jean Kasem’s cheating were highlighted after her husband’s death, they actually began several months before when Kerri Kasem’s attorney, Troy L. Martin, stated that Mrs. Kasem has been lying to Mr. Kasem for at least two years, telling him that they are divorced.”

3. Jean Kasem owns a crib company.

During her marriage, Jean Kasem also decided to put her entrepernoural skills to the test.  In 1995, she founded the Little Miss Liberty Round Crib Company, which prides itself on building “safer” cribs.  Kasem has registered several patterns for her unique designs and created several details and intricate cribs. According to the company’s Facebook page: “Your cradle or crib is certain to become a family heirloom, a treasure passed down from generation to generation.”  Little Miss Liberty Round Crib has also been featured on the home shopping network, and during a press release marking the accomplishment Kasem stated: “A round crib is natural and optically stimulating for a child and I feel it’s safer by design. The child can focus on the whole world, and they are the center of it, which is what they should be. I’m very passionate about informing people of the benefits of the round crib. Its arrival at the Home Shopping Network allows me to share these benefits with millions of viewers.”

2. Jean Kasem once worked as an actress.

Although her career never reached award-winning heights, Jean Kasem, once earned some recognition as an actress.  During the 80s and early 90s, Kasem played the role of Loreta Tortelli on the popular sitcom, Cheers.  Despite having a substantial amount of on-screen time, Loreta was depicted as an airhead who, despite her lack of talent, had dreams of becoming a singer.  Loreta’s character was also featured in the spin-off series, The Tortellis,which aired briefly in 1987.  Aside from her role in Cheers and The Tortellis, Kasem also appeared in other shows including Fantasy Island and Alice.

1. Jean Kasem was rumored to be joint the cast of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

In 2013, rumors began circulating that Jean Kasem may have been in the running to become a cast member on the popular reality TV series, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. However, an inside source revealed that Kasem had ” not shot any scenes and hasn’t been involved in any shooting or even planning yet.”  Although the rumors were never officially confirmed or denied, Kasem has never appeared on the show.

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

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