Iconic Mario Voice Actor Steps Down After Decades

Long-time voice of Mario Charles Martinet transitions to 'Mario Ambassador' role as Nintendo confirms search for replacement.

Nintendo of America confirmed on Monday that Charles Martinet, who has voiced the iconic plumber Mario in Nintendo games since the 1990s, is stepping down from the role.

Martinet will now serve as 'Mario Ambassador', travelling around the world to promote the beloved character by signing autographs and performing Nintendo character voices. "It's been a privilege working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him," Nintendo said in a statement. In addition to voicing Mario, Martinet has also lent his vocal talents to Mario's brother Luigi, as well as villains Wario and Waluigi. While he did not voice Mario in the recent Mario film, Martinet did have a small role as Mario's father.

At a Canadian gaming and comics convention two years ago, Martinet told fans during a Q&A session that he wanted to voice Mario "until I drop dead". However, he added that "if someday I think I am no longer capable of doing it, I will tell Nintendo to look into finding someone else."

Nintendo did not give a reason for Martinet stepping down from the Mario role or indicate who would take over as the new voice of the iconic video game character.

Charles Martinet, voice of Mario since the 1990s, is no longer voicing the character
Martinet will now be a 'Mario Ambassador', promoting the character worldwide
Nintendo thanked Martinet but is searching for a new Mario voice actor
Martinet previously said he wanted to voice Mario until he died

Source: AP