Man who voiced Mario for 32 years stepping back from recording iconic character
The voice behind one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, Mario, is set to step back from recording after 32 years.
Charles Martinet is the original voice actor behind the beloved plumber and has played the character since 1991. Nintendo have confirmed that Mr Martinet will now serve in the role of a "Mario Ambassador".
It means he'll be travelling around the world to promote the popular character created by Shigeru Miyamoto, signing autographs and performing Nintendo character voices. In addition to being the original voice of Mario, he's also voiced Luigi, Wario and Waluigi in the video games.
Sharing the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, Nintendo America wrote: "Charles Martinet has been the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, as far back as Super Mario 64. Charles is now moving into the brand-new role of Mario Ambassador.
Chris Martinet is set to take on a new role as a 'Mario Ambassador' (FilmMagic)"With this transition, he will be stepping back from recording character voices for our games, but he'll continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!
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"It has been an honour working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him. Please keep an eye out for a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles himself, which we will post at a future date."
Mr Martinet quote tweeted the post saying: "My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!!"
While Mr Martinet did not voice Mario in the recent movie, instead voiced by Chris Pratt, he did appear in a cameo as Mario's dad. During a question and answer session at a Canadian gaming and comics expo two years ago, Mr Martinet told the audience: "I want to voice Mario until I drop dead" in response to a fan's question, according to gaming blog The Game Crater.
But, he added: "If someday I think I am no longer capable of doing it, I will tell Nintendo to look into finding someone else."
Chris Martinet did not voice Mario in the movie but did make a cameo appearance as his dad (Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
Chris Martinet has also voiced Luigi, Wario and Waluigi (Getty Images for Crunchyroll)Mr Martinet got the job after a friend told him about an audition at a tradeshow where he'd need "to talk to people as a plumber". He made a last-minute decision to attend the audition just as casting directors were packing away.
It's said Mr Martinet walked in and asked if he could read for the part and directors let him audition, telling him he was playing an "Italian plumber from Brooklyn." He started out with a stereotypical Italian American accent, putting on a deep raspy voice - but then thought that would be too harsh for children to heart so made it more soft-hearted and friendly.
The result was the voice of Mario so many of us know and love today. He said he kept talking with his Mario voice until the audition tape ran out. He first voiced Mario at tradeshows for a 3D version of the character that was meant to be able to speak with attendees.
His first video game appearance came in 1994's Mario Teaches Typing, but most will have come to know and love his iconic voice through 1996's Super Mario 64. But it's not just Mario where people will have heard Mr Martinet's voice - he also voices Paarthurnax in 2011's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Magenta in 2022's Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Nintendo did not give a reason for Mr Martinet stepping down or say who would replace him as the voice of Mario.
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