Charles Martinet, the voice behind Nintendo’s game star Mario, retires after 27 years.
Charles Martinet, known as the voice actor behind Nintendo’s iconic character Mario, will be stepping down from his role, as announced by the gaming company. Martinet has lent his voice to the Italian plumber in video games since 1996, beginning with the popular Super Mario 64. Notably, he did not provide the voice for Mario in this year’s movie, as the role was taken on by Chris Pratt.
Nintendo revealed this news on an unspecified platform, expressing their appreciation for the 67-year-old actor’s contributions and stating that it had been an honour to collaborate with him. While he’s leaving his role as the primary voice actor for Mario in games, Martinet will still be working alongside Nintendo as a “Mario ambassador.” This new role seems to have left him content.
Martinet has lent his voice to numerous games featuring the heroic Italian plumber, including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series. However, his connection with the character will endure as he continues to share the joy of Mario with fans worldwide.
In 2023, the Mario franchise will have experienced significant milestones. The Mario movie achieved tremendous success, amassing over $1 billion at the box office. Chris Pratt voiced Mario in the film, while Martinet took on roles for other characters like Giuseppe and Mario’s dad. Additionally, the year saw the announcement of the game Super Mario Bros. Wonder, along with plans for a Super Mario RPG remake, both slated for release on the Nintendo Switch later in the year. Fans were excited by the announcement, with the Super Mario Bros. Wonder trailer sparking speculation about potential changes in the voice acting.
In their statement, Nintendo thanked Martinet for his enduring contribution and hinted at an upcoming special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, and Martinet himself. The collaboration between Martinet and Nintendo has indeed left an indelible mark on the world of gaming and entertainment.