Charles Martinet: The Man Behind Mario
Charles Martinet is an American actor and voice actor who has been the voice of Mario in the Super Mario video game series since 1991. He has also voiced Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and other characters in the series.
Early life and career
Martinet was born in San José, California, in 1955. He studied theater at the University of Southern California and began his acting career in the early 1980s. He appeared in several television shows and films, including "Matlock" and "Nine Months."
In 1991, Martinet was cast as the voice of Mario in the Super Mario Bros. movie. He continued to voice the character in the video game series, and he has also voiced him in other media, such as cartoons and commercials.
The voice of Mario
Martinet's voice for Mario is instantly recognizable. He has created a unique and memorable voice for the character, which is both energetic and enthusiastic. He has also been praised for his ability to capture Mario's personality and quirks.
Martinet has said that he developed the voice of Mario by listening to Italian plumbers working in his neighborhood when he was a child. He also said that he tries to make Mario's voice sound like it's coming from his stomach, which gives it a more authentic sound.
Other roles
In addition to Mario, Martinet has voiced many other characters in the Super Mario video game series, including Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and Toadsworth. He has also voiced characters in other video game series, such as Paarthurnax in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Magenta in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Martinet has also appeared in several live-action films and television shows, including "The Drew Carey Show" and "The Simpsons." He has also done voice work for animated films, such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin."
Personal life
Martinet is married and has two children. He lives in Southern California.
Awards and honors
Martinet has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a voice actor. He has won two Annie Awards, a Behind the Voice Actors Award, and a Golden Joystick Award. He was also inducted into the Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019.
Legacy
Charles Martinet is one of the most iconic voice actors in the world. His voice for Mario is instantly recognizable and has helped to make the character one of the most popular in video game history. Martinet is also a talented actor and has voiced many other memorable characters. He is a true legend of the voice acting industry.
Recent updates
In August 2023, Martinet announced that he would be stepping back from the role of Mario. He said that he would still be involved with the franchise, but that he would be transitioning to a new role as "Mario Ambassador." In this role, he will travel the world and meet with fans of Mario.
Martinet's decision to step back from the role of Mario was met with mixed reactions from fans. Some fans were disappointed to see him go, while others were supportive of his decision. Martinet said that he made the decision because he wanted to focus on other aspects of his career, such as his work as a voice actor for other characters and his work as a Mario Ambassador.
FAQs
- Q: How many languages does Charles Martinet speak? A: Martinet speaks fluent French, Spanish, and Italian. He also has some knowledge of German and Japanese.
- Q: What is Charles Martinet's favorite Mario game? A: Martinet's favorite Mario game is Super Mario 64. He said that it was the first time he felt like he was really inside the world of Mario.
- Q: What is Charles Martinet's favorite Mario quote? A: Martinet's favorite Mario quote is "It's-a me, Mario!" He said that it's the most iconic line in the series and that it always makes him smile.
- Q: What is Charles Martinet's favorite thing about being the voice of Mario
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