Charles Martinet

Biography

Charles Martinet is an American actor who spent more than three decades as the voice of Mario, a role he held from 1991 until his retirement from voice acting in 2023. Born in San Jose, California, he trained at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Drama Studio London, and helped found the San Jose Repertory Theatre. At Nintendo he also voiced Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and the baby versions of Mario and Luigi, and Guinness World Records recognized him for playing the same character in one hundred titles. He provided the voice of Paarthurnax in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Magenta in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022), and he appeared briefly in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). He later became a Mario Ambassador for Nintendo, meeting fans at events and conventions.

71years old

Turns 72 on September 17in 311 days

Born September 17, 1955San Jose
Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
Charles Andre Martinet (birth name)Also credited as Charles A. Martinet and Nugget

Movie Career

Films: 6
Career span: 37 years1986 to 2023

Genres

Drama50%, 3 films
Comedy33%, 2 films
Thriller33%, 2 films
Action17%, 1 film
Adventure17%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

Big break
Martinet won the role as Mario's voice in 1991 after showing up at a trade show audition at the last minute, as casting directors were packing up their equipment, and asking if he could read for the part.
A first
For his work as Mario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Martinet was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having performed one character in one hundred different titles, more than any other video game voice actor.
Getting ready for a role
While recording, Martinet improvised, which led to many of Mario's catchphrases. When it was wondered what Mario would do if the player left him alone, Martinet suggested Mario would dream of pasta while asleep.
First role
At around 20, a friend talked Martinet into acting classes to help with his fear of public speaking. He took on a monologue from the Spoon River Anthology as his first role.
Early training
Martinet auditioned and earned an apprenticeship with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He trained there for several years, then went to London for the Drama Studio London, where he found his skill for accents and dialects.
A role that slipped away
In 2009, Martinet said he had hoped to provide the voice of Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the character would stay silent.