Charles Martinet Retires from Iconic Role as Mario Voice
By Movieguide® Contributor
Charles Martinet, the voice actor behind the iconic Mario video game character, has decided to step away from that role to focus on a different position with Nintendo.
“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,” Nintendo told Variety.
As a Mario Ambassador, Martinet will travel the world and converse with fans for Nintendo.
In a statement posted on X, Nintendo stated, “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. 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 added.
“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,” Nintendo concluded. “Please keep an eye out for a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles himself, which we will post at a future date.”
Martinet responded to Nintendo’s tweet with, “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
In addition to voicing Mario, Martinet also voiced other beloved characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, including Luigi, Wario and Waluigi.
While he didn’t voice Mario in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, Martinet had a small cameo as Mario’s dad.
A part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023) is a new movie based on the iconic Nintendo video game about brothers Mario and Luigi, two plumbers from Brooklyn, New York. After Mario and Luigi find a green pipe in the sewers, they are transported into a different universe. The brothers end up getting separated, but both find themselves wrapped up in an evil plot by King Bowser. Bowser has seized a Super Star, which he plans to use to kidnap and marry Princess Peach, take over Mushroom Kingdom, and rule the world. Can Mario reunite with his brother Luigi and stop Bowser’s evil plot?
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023) has a strong moral message about brotherhood, sacrifice, and working together to overcome evil. The movie has breathtaking animation that honors its iconic source material while breathing new life into the large cast of characters from both Mario video games and other Nintendo games of the same universe. For Mario and Luigi, love for one another helps them overcome their deepest fears and stand up against Bowser and his army of Koopas, Goombas, and Piranha Plants. Due to some intense animated action/violence, Movieguide® advises caution for younger children.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
