Charles Martinet will no longer voice Mario after 27 years of voicing the popular video game character.
In a tweet on Monday, Nintendo announced that Martinet will transition to the “brand-new role” of Mario ambassador.
As a result, the 67-year-old will be “stepping back from recording character voices for our games,” the company said, adding that “he will continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!”.
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
Although most people first heard Martinet’s iconic turn as Mario in 1996’s Super Mario 64, he’d already voiced the plucky plumber in Mario Teaches Typing and Mario’s Game Gallery for PC in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Martinet would go on to reprise his role as Mario in a series of the character’s mainline adventures, including Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Galaxy, as well as spinoffs such as the Mario Kart series.
He also provided the memorable voices of other Nintendo characters including Mario’s brother Luigi, his rival Wario, and their baby equivalents.
Outside of Nintendo’s output, he lent his voice to additional games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Dragon Ball Super: Hero.
Fans began speculating about Martinet’s future following rumours that hadn’t provided the hero’s voice in the upcoming Nintendo Switch game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Elsewhere, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt took over the role of Mario in the smash-hit Super Mario Bros. Movie earlier this year, with co-star Charlie Day voicing Luigi. Martinet, on the other hand, had a brief cameo in the film as a Brooklyn, New York resident.
Nintendo said that it would provide more info in a special video message from Nintendo video game director Shigeru Miyamoto and Martinet at a future date.
“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 company said.
