At the recent Missouri Comic-Con in 2024, the “AnimeSuperhero” reporter had the opportunity to participate in a “Q&A” session with voice actor Scott Innes, renowned for his portrayal of Shaggy and Scooby in the late 90s and early 2000s. Innes notably succeeded the iconic Don Messick as the voice of Scooby-Doo in the franchise. The panel not only allowed for engaging interactions with Innes but also offered insights into his career and elicited laughter from the audience.
In 1998, Innes first lent his voice to the beloved cartoon dog in “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.” His repertoire includes voicing both Shaggy and Scooby in a series of direct-to-video Scooby movies from the late 90s to the early 2000s. Additionally, he portrayed “Scrappy-Doo” in the live-action Scooby-Doo film released in 2002. Despite other actors returning to voice Shaggy and Scooby in subsequent productions, Innes continued to portray the duo in commercials and video games throughout the 2000s.
During the panel, Innes reminisced about the recording session for “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island,” which marked the final recording at the original Hanna-Barbera Studios before its relocation to Cartoon Network. He humorously recounted an incident where he playfully put his feet up on William Hanna’s desk, much to the amusement of the Scooby-Doo creator. However, his lighthearted gesture was met with a gentle reprimand from the studio staff.
When asked about his favorite Scooby-Doo project, Innes fondly recalled “Zombie Island” for its innovative premise of featuring real monsters—a departure from the traditional “man in a mask” storyline. Despite enjoying that era in the franchise, he acknowledged that such a concept might not resonate as effectively with audiences today.
Innes debunked the misconception that Shaggy is a vegetarian, attributing this characterization to Casey Kasem’s personal preferences. He emphasized the importance of maintaining character integrity regardless of voice actors’ traits. When questioned about the flavor of a “Scooby Snack,” he whimsically likened it to a “Double Cheeseburger with steak fries.”
Expressing his admiration for Kermit the Frog, Innes revealed his dream of voicing the character and even treated the audience to a rendition of “The Rainbow Connection.” He engaged the audience in a sing-along of the “How Groovy” song from “Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders” when asked about his favorite Scooby-Doo performance.
Throughout the convention, Innes exhibited a warm and approachable demeanor, interacting graciously with fans at his booth, signing autographs, and taking selfies. His down-to-earth attitude and genuine enthusiasm endeared him to attendees, making him one of the most accessible celebrities at the event. Meeting Scott Innes at a local convention is highly recommended for fans seeking an enjoyable experience and a chance to witness his iconic Scooby voice in action.