It’s the end of an era for Nintendo and its fans today, as we learned legendary Mario voice actor Charles Martinet is “stepping back” from recording character voices for Nintendo games.
Martinet’s incredible run as the mustachioed plumber began back in 1994 with Mario Teaches Typing and ran all the way through his cameo appearances in this year’s Super Mario Bros. Movie. While the world waits to see who will voice Mario in Super Mario Bros. Wonder this October, fans are taking to social media to thank Martinet for all the memories.
Martinet himself responded to the news on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), writing, “My new Adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart!”
My new Adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!! https://t.co/3YWYewlnXt
— Charles Martinet (@CharlesMartinet) August 21, 2023
Nintendo Fans Thank Charles Martinet
Martinet has been the voice and ambassador of Mario for decades, traveling to fan conventions to meet Nintendo players in addition to recording voice lines for Mario games. Today, fans are sharing their personal memories from meeting Martinet, as well as thanking him for the joy he put behind every performance as Mario.
One time at E3 I had to drive Charles Martinet to his hotel. During the drive, he told me the best stories and was just the most lovely person. He has always been so nice to everyone — especially fans. So honored I got to work with him for a small part of his legendary run. https://t.co/oEhrZMIcVA
— Chad Concelmo (@Chad_Concelmo) August 21, 2023
Reminder that Charles Martinet showed up to the premiere of Dragon Ball Super Hero with the whole Magenta fit. Absolute legend 👑 pic.twitter.com/NmLXOhqL8C
— SLO (@SLOplays) August 21, 2023
I know nothing can last forever and it’s been almost 30 years, it’s been great to have Martinet for this long already. Thank you for all the joy and for inventing Mario as we know him! https://t.co/Z6Luo02mjA
— Chuggaaconroy (@chuggaaconroy) August 21, 2023
In light of today’s news, I would like to thank Charles Martinet from the bottom of my heart for 32 years of his unforgettable portrayal of Mario and wish him the best in his future endeavors. Regular content will resume tomorrow.
— Supper Mario Broth (@MarioBrothBlog) August 21, 2023
On a personal note, there has never been a time in my life when Charles Martinet wasn’t the voice of Mario. Few weeks have passed since I was a little where I haven’t heard his voice. A profoundly joyous and meaningful performance that I’ll always treasure.#ThankYouMartinet pic.twitter.com/lYyTXYHys6
— Abram Buehner (@AbramBuehner) August 21, 2023
Fans Share Their Favorite Mario Performances
Mario is best-known for saying things like “Wahoo” and “Ler’s-a-go!”, but over nearly three decades, Martinet created all kinds of lines for Mario. Fans are sharing some of their favorite deepcuts from across Mario history, including an interview Mario did for the Nintendo Wii’s Mario Sports Mix, the plumber’s voice in Mario vs. Donkey Kong on GBA, and voice clips from Mario at a Nintendo DS preview event in 2004.
One of my favorite performances from Martinet was that Mario interview he did for Mario Sports Mix. You could tell he was having a lot of fun. Wish him the best going forward. pic.twitter.com/MSSskMuNJo
— Ultima📛| New Era (@UltimaShadowX) August 21, 2023
Martinet’s performance in Mario vs. Donkey Kong will always be my favorite. It’s a shame we rarely got to hear him voice any complete sentences in mainline Mario games. Martinet is such an enormous talent that finding a replacement will be tough.
“Come back here you big monkey!” pic.twitter.com/AYlM7cI2s3
— Kremling Kampaigner (@KRoolKountry) August 21, 2023
With news of Charles Martinet stepping down as Mario’s voice actor, I’m reminded of a day in 2004.
I was among those privileged to preview Nintendo DS, with Charles there charming & humorous as ever. Enjoy this clip from my personal archives (and ty Charles, for years of fun!) pic.twitter.com/kVupxwmFov
— James.zip (@JamesPopStar) August 21, 2023
Martinet’s Mario Movie Cameo
We all know that Chris Pratt was the voice of Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. Movie, but Martinet did make an appearance through multiple cameos. One such cameo was as Mario and Luigi’s dad, who just happened to deliver the final spoken line of the movie: “These are my boys!,” referring to Mario and Luigi. Now that Martinet’s time as Mario and Luigi is over, it seems like he was sent off in the best possible way.
ok but martinet’s final role as mario’s father in the mario movie is a perfect send off for the actor
— AJ @ NSMBWii/Wonder (@yggdrasilsaltar) August 21, 2023
Literally, if y’all haven’t notices the last line of spoken dialogue in the Super Mario Bros. Movie is Charles Martinet saying
“THOSE ARE MY BOYS!” https://t.co/fx63JIHfMf
— HMK (@HMKilla) August 21, 2023
someone told me charles martinet’s last role was papa mario, mario and luigi’s father from the mario movie and his last line was: “these are my boys.”
what an iconic way to go out. pic.twitter.com/Hboakt5yZo https://t.co/3qnPXVxS8g
— JOLLY J✨ (@DynamoSuperX) August 21, 2023
What’s your favorite memory of either Super Mario or Charles Martinet? Let us know in the comments.
Thumbnail credit: Suzanne Cordeiro/Corbis via Getty Images
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over seven years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.