How Charles Martinet Became the Voice of Mario and Changed the Video Game Industry
Charles Martinet, the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games, has announced that he is ‘stepping back’ from recording character voices for the company. He will instead take on a new role as Mario Ambassador, where he will travel the world and interact with fans.
Nintendo confirmed the news on Twitter, saying, “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. Still, he’ll continue to travel the world, sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!
“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. 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 expressed his gratitude and excitement on his Twitter account, saying, “My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!!”
Martinet has voiced Mario since 1995 and other characters such as Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and Baby Mario. He has appeared in over 100 games, including Super Mario, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and many more. He is widely regarded as one of video game’s most iconic and beloved voice actors.
We wish Charles Martinet all the best in his new role as Mario Ambassador, and we look forward to hearing his voice again in future Nintendo projects. Thank you, Charles, for giving us many memorable moments with Mario and his friends. You are genuinely Numba One!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Charles Martinet and his role as Mario:
How did Charles Martinet get the job as Mario’s voice actor?
Charles Martinet auditioned for the role of Mario at a trade show in 1990, where he improvised some lines in a funny Italian accent. He impressed the Nintendo representatives, who hired him on the spot. He has been voicing Mario ever since.
What other characters have Charles Martinet voiced for Nintendo?
Besides Mario, Charles Martinet has also voiced Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Metal Mario, and several other minor characters. He has also voiced some non-Nintendo characters, such as Paarthurnax from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Orvus from Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time.
How does Charles Martinet create the different voices for each character?
Charles Martinet has said that he uses different parts of his vocal cords and throat to produce different voices. For example, he uses his chest voice for Mario, his head voice for Luigi, his nasal voice for Wario, and his throat voice for Waluigi. He also changes his pitch, tone, and attitude to match each character’s personality.
What challenges does Charles Martinet face as a voice actor?
Charles Martinet has said that one of his challenges is keeping his voice consistent and healthy. He has to drink a lot of water and avoid cold drinks and dairy products that can affect his voice. He also has to warm up his voice before recording and rest it after. Another challenge he faces is to keep his performance fresh and fun, even when he has to repeat the same lines or sounds many times.
What are some of the rewards that Charles Martinet enjoys as a voice actor?
Charles Martinet has said that one of the rewards he enjoys is seeing the joy and happiness his voice brings millions of people worldwide. He loves meeting his fans and hearing their stories and feedback. He also enjoys working with Nintendo and collaborating with other talented people in the industry. He considers himself very lucky and grateful to be able to do what he loves.