Charles Martinet steps down as the official voice of Mario

An era in gaming history is coming to a close. Nintendo officially confirmed on Monday that Charles Martinet, the actor who has provided the voice for Mario since 1991, is stepping back from his recording duties for the franchise.

The 67-year-old actor’s influence on the Mushroom Kingdom extends far beyond the titular plumber. Throughout his tenure, Martinet lent his vocal talents to a vast array of characters, including Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and the various “baby” iterations of these figures, appearing in more than 100 titles across the series.

A New Chapter as Mario Ambassador

While Martinet will no longer be providing the voices for these iconic characters in upcoming games, his relationship with the company remains intact. Nintendo has announced that he will transition into a new position titled “Mario Ambassador.”

Though the specific responsibilities of this role remain somewhat vague, Nintendo noted that he will continue to travel globally to share the spirit of the franchise with fans. “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,” the company stated.

Anticipating the Transition

For many observant followers of the franchise, the shift did not come as a total surprise. Speculation had been building following the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where the role of Mario was voiced by Chris Pratt. Martinet did appear in the film, though in a cameo role as Mario’s father.

Furthermore, eagle-eyed fans recently noticed the absence of Martinet’s distinct vocal style in trailers for upcoming Nintendo Switch titles, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder and WarioWare: Move It. This official announcement provides long-awaited confirmation for the community.

Honoring a Legacy

Nintendo expressed deep gratitude for the actor’s decades of contribution, stating, “It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years.”

To celebrate his career and provide a proper send-off, the company plans to release a video message featuring Martinet alongside Mario creator and Nintendo executive Shigeru Miyamoto. Fans can look forward to this retrospective look at his storied time with the character.