Charles Martinet retires from Super Mario voice role after almost 3 decades
Charles Martinet, who has been Mario's voice actor since Super Mario 64, is ending his run after 27 years.
On X (formerly Twitter), video game company Nintendo released a statement saying that Martinet, who has the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, is barking into a new role in the company as Mario Ambassador.
As a Mario Ambassador, Martinet will travel the world and interact with fans on behalf of the gaming company.
"Charles is now moving into the brand-new role of Mario Ambassador. 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," the statement read.
“It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him,” the statement continued.
We have a message for fans of the Mushroom Kingdom. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/U1ASicOuTO
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 21, 2023
Nintendo also promised that a special video message from Charles will be posted soon, “Please keep an eye out for a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles himself, which we will post at a future date," Nintendo wrote.
Martinet replied to the statement, writing, “My new Adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!!”
My new Adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!! https://t.co/3YWYewlnXt
— Charles Martinet (@CharlesMartinet) August 21, 2023
With this new venture, Martinet will not be involved in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder game which will be out on Oct. 20 on Nintendo Switch, according to Variety.
Martinet started at Nintendo in 1991, and his first major performance as the iconic mustachioed plumber was in 1996’s Super Mario 64.
The 67-year-old voice actor also served as the voice of Mario’s brother, Luigi, and their counterparts Wario and Waluigi. He also voiced Mario and Luigi’s dad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie where the American actor Chris Pratt starred as the voice of Mario.
In addition to providing the voice of the beloved Italian plumber, Martinet made phrases like "Mamma Mia," "Wahoo," "Let's-a-go," and "It's-a me, Mario" a mainstay in some of the company's most well-known games, including Mario Kart, Super Mario Galaxy, and Mario Party.
The person who will take on the voice of Mario has not been announced yet.