Charles Martinet Retires From Voicing Mario Since 1992

He will be Nintendo’s “Mario Ambassador”

The man behind the iconic voice of Nintendo’s Mario, is stepping down from his throne in the Mushroom Kingdom.

The voice actor for the beloved Italian plumber, Charles Martinet, will no longer be lending his voice to the character he has portrayed since the 1990s, Nintendo confirmed. The gaming company announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Charles will transition into the role of a “Mario Ambassador,” engaging with fans worldwide.

Expressing their gratitude for Charles’ immense contribution, Nintendo described in their statement the honor of collaborating with him to bring Mario to life for many years.

The statement also hinted at an upcoming special video message featuring Charles and the Mario series creator, Shigeru Miyamoto. But they did not provide the reason behind Charles’ decision to step down.

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Charles’s association with Mario dates back to 1991. He gained widespread recognition with the release of Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64.

The 1996 video game marked a pivotal moment for the Super Mario series. It introduced players to Charles’ unmistakable Mario voice. The groundbreaking game featured 3D gameplay in an expansive open world, as players guided Mario on a mission to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the antagonist, Bowser.

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“Super Mario 64” also marked the start of Charles’ now-iconic catchphrases such as “mama mia” and “let’s a-go.” All have become synonymous with the globally recognized character as much as his trademark red hat.

While Chris Pratt voiced Mario in the 2022 animated “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” Charles made a cameo as Mario’s father.

In his new role as an ambassador, Nintendo revealed that Charles would go around the world to promote the character. He will be doing autograph signings and performing character voices.

Charles shared Nintendo’s announcement: “My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart!”

Banner Image Paulo Correa