Nintendo announces that Super Mario voice actor Charles Martinet is retiring after 30 years
The American voice actor was featured in more than 150 video games and was the voice of Mario as well as Luigi, Wario and Waluigi.
(Wikimedia Commons / Cordon Press)
Super Mario won't sound the same anymore. Charles Martinet, the American actor who dubbed the iconic Italian plumber, is retiring after 30 years voicing the character, Nintendo announced in a statement:
Charles Martinet will continue to be part of the Super Mario legacy
The voice actor was featured in more than 150 video games. He not only voiced Mario, but also Luigi, Wario and Waluigi. Martinet started as a voice actor for Nintendo in 1991. Five years later, he signed on to be the voice of the Mario. The first video game in which Charles Martinet dubbed the Italian plumber was in 1996’s "Super Mario 64." The historic game marked the beginning of the character in video games, a legacy that still lives on.
The American actor is retiring with immediate effect and will not voice Mario in the upcoming game, "Super Mario Bros. Wonder," which will be available for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 20. However, he will participate in this game in a different way, as Nintendo assured to Variety in a statement: "While Charles is not involved in the game, we’re excited to honor his legacy and contributions, including looking ahead to what he’ll be doing as a Mario Ambassador."
Martinet also dedicated a few words to both Super Mario and Nintendo and especially to the fans who had accompanied him for 30 years. He said on social media that they would always be "Numba One in my heart!"
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