LogInThe iconic actor Charles Martinet will no longer be voicing Mario.
Nintendo shared the news on Twitter. The actor will remain at Nintendo though taking the new role of Mario Ambassador.
Image credit: Nintendo Life
"Charles Martinet has been the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, as far back as Super Mario 64," Nintendo wrote. "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."
Nintendo also shared they plan to release a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles Martinet "at a future date.” Martinet responded to the news by retweeting the Nintendo’s announcement with a quote saying: “My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart!”
The voice actor has been working with Nintendo since 1991. Martinet got the job as Mario's voice at Nintendo when he learned there was going to be an audition at a trade show where contestants had "talk to people as a plumber". He entered at the last minute when the casting directors were busy putting away their equipment. Eventually, the actor got the role and become one of the favorite voices in the games industry.
Previously, Nintendo announced the next Mario game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which will be released for Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2023. Learn more here.
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